CMA Fest is back and the streets of downtown Nashville will be filled with thousands of fans and country music for the next four days.
For the locals who want a reminder of where all the road closures are, we’ve got you covered. For the fans who want to keep up to date with the artists they’ve missed, we’re here for you too.
Who to see at CMA Fest? Lainey Wilson and 8 others can’t miss the performances on day one
Follow here for Tennessee’s live coverage of the festival’s performers, weather, fashion and other highlights.
Official liquor station officials say the liquor sales are “countless” on the Riverfront stage alone, with at least a thousand drinks sold by noon and many thousands more expected by tonight.
Artist Lauren Alaina took the stage at Riverfront Park in front of ecstatic fans who sang along to some of her biggest hits.
After leading the audience together for their son, Road Less Traveled, excitement mounted as Alaina reminded those in attendance of her latest album, Unlocked, out tomorrow, June 9th.
Camden Keene stood on the Riverfront Park lawn and looked out at the huge crowd that had gathered for the likes of Lainey Wilson, Elvie Shane and Alaina. Keene traveled from North Carolina with her family after planning this trip for over a year.
“We’re so excited to finally be here,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed every artist we’ve seen so far, especially Lauren Alaina. And the weekend is yet to come!”
Gillian Barnett traveled with her family from Toronto, Ontario for her first trip to CMA Fest. She is most looking forward to seeing Luke Combs at Nissan Stadium tonight.
According to the festival’s Twitter account, the Riverfront Stage’s capacity will be managed throughout the day, with gates closing and reopening as needed.
On Broadway, queues form between 1st and 2nd Avenues, then up 2nd Avenue North.
The 50th CMA Fest has got off to a fantastic start! Riverfront Stage capacity is managed throughout the day, with gates closing and reopening as needed. The queue stands on Broadway between 1st and 2nd Aves and then up 2nd Ave N to keep cross streets clear. ENJOY! HYDRATE! #CMAfest pic.twitter.com/cR8k9ofpx8
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) June 8, 2023
CMA Fest 2023 kicked off with a Grammy-winning Tennessee State University Marching Band playing brass renditions of hip-hop classics, followed by Country Music Association Artist of the Year Lainey Wilson to open the proceedings.
If you’re wondering what the mood will be like on Lower Broadway for the next four days, the Louisiana native mentioned country music, western culture, love, “Watermelon Moonshine” (her current radio single) and coffee-soaked over the first ten days Whiskey minutes after entering the stage.
The packed Riverfront Stage is already well acquainted with the two albums and four #1 singles Wilson has released in the past three years. She followed, as she often does at concerts now, with a solo version of her HARDY collaboration “Wait in the Truck” and another hit, “Heart Like A Truck”.
The crowd seemed excited yet mesmerized as the temperature and humidity felt like it had increased 20 degrees in the half hour she was on stage.
According to the festival, the Riverfront Stage gates are temporarily closed due to the venue’s capacity being exhausted.
The #CMAfest @Chevrolet The Riverfront Stage gates are temporarily closed due to capacity being reached. The gates will be reopened as soon as possible. In the meantime, however, be sure to check the CMA Connect app for more free stages happening NOW! pic.twitter.com/TajGG5MwII
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) June 8, 2023
The gates will open as soon as possible. For more free stages, visit https://cmafest.com/app/.
From the Grammy stage to the Riverfront stage at CMA Fest, the Tennessee Marching Band, better known as the “Aristocrat of Bands,” prepares Thursday morning audiences for a day of entertainment.
Clear bags are required for entry to the CMA Fest. According to their website, security allows a clear bag no larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches per person.
Festival-goers are allowed to bring a refillable water bottle and have access to several water refill stations. For locations, visit cmafest.com or the CMA Fest mobile app.
All providers and venues are cashless. Make sure you have a debit or credit card with you, or set up Apple or Google Pay on your phone ahead of time. And if you want to enjoy an adult drink, don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID.
More: CMA Fest 2023: A Guide for First-Timers to the Festival and Seasoned Veterans
Several streets in the city center are closed at least until Sunday. Other areas around Nissan Stadium will remain closed through Monday.
The closures are focused on Broadway and the areas where CMA Fest will set up its stages.
A detailed list of closures can be found at this link.
The National Weather forecasts sunny skies for most of the festival with temperatures starting in the low 80’s and rising steadily as the days go by.
Widespread haze may occur throughout the area on Thursday as remnants of wildfire smoke from Canada linger across the region.
After 1pm on Sunday there is an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms
More: CMA Fest 2023: Find out what kind of weather to expect in Nashville
Music starts at 10am on Thursday, with the biggest performers taking the stage at Nissan Stadium at around 7:45pm.
For the lineup for the entire weekend, click here.
stage on the river bank
- 10 a.m.: Lainey Wilson
- 10:45 a.m. Elvie Shane
- 11:30 a.m. Lauren Alaina
- 12:15 p.m.: Ian Munsick
- 1 p.m.: MacKenzie Porter
- 1:45 p.m.: Chayce Beckham
- 2:30 p.m.: Corey Kent
- 3:15 p.m.: Warren Zeiders
- 4 p.m.: Lily Rose
- 4:45 p.m. Travis Denning
- 5:30 p.m.: Bailey Zimmerman
Vibes Stage
- 10:15 a.m.: Jerrod Neiman
- 11 a.m.: Meghan Patrick
- 11:45 a.m.: Shane Profit
- 12:30 p.m.: Tiera Kennedy
- 1:15 p.m.: Canaan Smith
- 2 p.m.: Ryan Griffin
- 2:45 p.m.: Hall Kearns
- 3:30 p.m.: Adam Doleac
- 4:15 p.m.: Dillon Carmichael
amplifier stage
- 10:15 a.m. RaeLynn
- 11 a.m.: Frankie Ballard
- 11:45 a.m.: Logan Michael
- 12:30 p.m.: Caitlyn Smith
- 1:15 p.m.: The Red Clay Strays
- 2 p.m.: David Nail
- 2:45 p.m. Seaforth
- 3:30 p.m.: Shenandoah
- 4:15 p.m.: Kidd G
hard rock stage
- 10:15 a.m. Texas Hill
- 10:55 am: Emily Ann Roberts
- 11:35 a.m. Matt Roy
- 12:15 p.m.: Fancy Hagood
- 12:55 p.m.: Roman Alexander
- 1:35 p.m.: Skyelor Anderson
- 2:15 p.m.: Jordan Harvey
- 2:55 p.m.: Shelby Darrall
- 3:35 p.m.: Walker Montgomery
- 4:15 p.m.: CJ Solar
reverb stage
- 10:15 a.m. John Morgan
- 10:55 a.m. Drew Green
- 11:35 am Abbey Cone
- 12:15 p.m.: Casey Barnes
- 12:55 p.m.: Riley Roth
- 1:35 p.m.: Bryan Martin
- 2:15 p.m.: Thomas Mac
- 2:55 p.m.: Pillbox Patti
- 3:35 p.m.: Griffen Palmer
- 4:15 p.m.: Lathan Warlick
spotlight stage
- 11 a.m.: Julie Williams
- 11:30 am: Loren Ryan
- 12 p.m.: Nat Barnes
- 12:30 p.m.: Karley Scott Collins
- 1 p.m.: Flat River Band
- 1:30 p.m.: Grace Leer
- 2 p.m.: Charlie Reynolds
- 2:30 p.m. MaRynn Taylor
- 3 p.m.: Pryor Baird
- 3:30 p.m.: Sarah Allison Turner
- 4pm: CB30
- 4:30 p.m.: Alexandra Kay
Nissan Stadium
- 7:45 p.m.: King Calaway
- 8 p.m.: Jo Dee Messina
- 8:30 p.m.: Jordan Davis
- 8:55 p.m.: RVSHVD*
- 9:05 p.m.: Luke Combs
- 9:45 p.m.: Ashley Cooke*
- 9:55 p.m.: Carly Pearce
- 10:40 p.m.: Tyler Hubbard
- 11:25 p.m.: Dan + Shay