Country Stampede at the Heartland (THURSDAY) at Heartland Park, Topeka, KS (2022-07-14)

Country Stampede at the Heartland is an outdoor music festival featuring country music stars, camping, and more in Topeka, Kansas at Heartland Motorsports Park, held annually since 1996. Due to flooding concerns, the event moved to its current location from Manhattan, KS in 2019.

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For its first full day, the heat index was in the triple-digits, but fans were still enthusiastic and eager for live music and the collective social gathering that a festival is.

Georgia native Lily Rose opened the afternoon with her blend of vulnerable lyrics and R&B leanings, highlighted by a Keith Urban cover and her breakout hit, “Villian”.

Kansas native Jerrod Neimann returned to his home state, a veteran of the festival having seen the first five as a fan and playing a previous 7 or 8 times. “Yellow Brick Road” was sung in honor of his home state, the country rap of “Donkey” returned to his setlist, and Hank Jr., Jimmy Buffett and Alabama covers ended his set.

North Carolina favorites Parmalee played their many radio hits along with a bevy of covers- Usher, Lizzo, The Killers, The Kid Leroi and Train versions were peppered in, along with a quick “Happy Birthday” to two separate fans up front.

A smart booking over a year in advance brought Mobile, AL native Walker Hayes in, to close the evening.

The biggest country song of 2021 and early 2022 was his viral TikTok dance smash, “Fancy Like” before which he revealed he received an Applebee’s Gold Card to always eat at the chain for free, and also brought out a little extra younger help to do the “Oreo Shake” with.

New single, “Y’all Life” had just dropped earlier that day and is already climbing the charts.

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