Boots and Hearts 2025 Day 1

Hidden Beats

Your Ultimate Source for Music, Entertainment and Community

Boots and Hearts 2025 Day 1: Rain, Resilience, and a Wild Finish

Boots and Hearts 2025 Day 1 kicked off with plenty of excitement, but the weather had other plans. Rain rolled through early in the day, forcing two separate safety shutdowns that delayed performances and cut down set times. The uncertainty made fans anxious, and the muddy festival grounds became a test of patience for everyone. Still, the energy never completely faded because people knew the lineup was too strong to stay quiet for long.

Once the skies opened and the stages came back to life, the mood shifted almost instantly. Crowds poured back in ready to make up for lost time, and every performance seemed to carry an extra sense of urgency. Artists leaned into the moment, fans danced in damp boots, and the resilience of country music lovers set the tone for the rest of the weekend. It was chaotic, but it was also unforgettable in the way only a festival can be.

Zach McPhee Brings Moody Country Fire

Zach McPhee’s performance in the Front Porch tent started with a moody country edge that drew the audience in right away. Though the crowd was smaller than the main stage acts, the people who showed up were committed, clapping along, shouting lyrics, and feeding Zach’s infectious energy. His band matched his fire with constant movement, jumping and playing like the tent was packed with thousands. The lighting created a dramatic atmosphere, with spotlights flashing across the crowd and amplifying the performance.

The British Columbia native had more than just songs to share with his fans. At the end of the set, Zach was surprised with a gold record plaque, which instantly became a highlight of the day. The moment felt personal, almost like the entire crowd was celebrating alongside him. Fans cheered as he proudly held up the award, and it capped off a performance that was both intimate and powerful, setting the bar for what was to come.

ZachMcphee-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-1

ZachMcphee-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-2

ZachMcphee-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-3

ZachMcphee-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-4

ZachMcphee-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-5

Sacha Lights Up the Main Stage

When Sacha stepped onto the main stage after the rain delay, the skies might have been gray but the energy shifted to pure brightness. A smaller crowd had stuck it out through the storm, but those who remained were diehard fans ready to give her everything they had. Families danced together, parents swung kids on their shoulders, and groups of friends sang at the top of their lungs. Her mix of covers and originals kept the set feeling playful and familiar while still showcasing her own artistry.

Her band delivered some standout solo moments that made her performance feel even bigger. Guitar riffs soared over the crowd, drum beats rattled through the field, and each member seemed as excited as Sacha to finally be playing after the delays. She matched their energy with playful movements across the stage, keeping smiles locked on faces everywhere. Even with a smaller audience than usual, the connection between artist and fans was undeniable, proving Sacha knows how to turn any moment into a celebration.

Mackenzie Carpenter’s Sass and Style

Mackenzie Carpenter hit the Front Porch tent in full sass mode, and the crowd loved every second of it. Dressed in a cute country outfit, she strutted confidently across the stage with the kind of personality that pulls everyone in. Her playful side came through with witty banter and constant interaction with fans, and her cover of Megan Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty” was a huge crowd pleaser. She showed she could mix humor with honesty, making her set feel relatable and fun.

One of the standout moments came when she spotted a fan holding a sign that read “Hey Country Queen,” the title of her debut album. Without hesitation, Mackenzie removed her hat and handed it over, creating a core memory for that fan and everyone who witnessed it. Her band, dressed in matching shirts, added to the playful vibe while delivering tight, energetic backing for her vocals. By the end of her set, it was clear she had left her mark as one of the rising stars to watch at the festival.

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-4

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-1

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-2

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-3

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-5

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-6

MackenzieCarpenter-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-7

Austin Snell Faces the Storm

Austin Snell’s main stage performance was one fans had been waiting for. A Georgia native and proud Air Force veteran, he brought a grounded but powerful presence to the stage. His gritty voice carried through the field, giving weight to every lyric he sang. Fans responded with cheers, clapping, and sing-alongs that made the set feel personal and connected. There was a sense of pride in watching him perform, knowing his background gave his music an added layer of authenticity.

Unfortunately, the weather returned just as the set was heating up. Rain swept in and cut things short, forcing him off the stage earlier than planned. The disappointment was clear in the crowd, but the brief performance was still memorable. In those moments, Austin managed to make a lasting impression, proving his talent can’t be dimmed by something as unpredictable as weather. Fans left talking about how they can’t wait to see him return for a full set in the future.

Dylan Marlowe Gets the Crowd Screaming

When Dylan Marlowe hit the stage, the noise level around the grounds spiked immediately. His dynamic band fired up the crowd with constant movement and bursts of energy, turning the performance into a full-on spectacle. Screams from fans carried all the way back to the media area, proving just how much love he was getting from the audience. Even when he stayed a little more stationary, his vocals and presence still commanded the stage.

What stood out most was his ability to engage the entire audience when he did move across the stage. He made sure to connect with fans on both sides, pointing, waving, and smiling in ways that made people feel seen. His band never stopped moving, fueling the hype with every note, and the energy between the stage and the crowd was electric. Dylan’s set was one of those performances where you could feel the mutual excitement building with every song.

DylanMarlowe-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-1

DylanMarlowe-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-2

DylanMarlowe-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-3

DylanMarlowe-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-4

DylanMarlowe-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-5

Cameron Whitcomb Flips Into the Spotlight

Cameron Whitcomb’s first appearance at Boots and Hearts was one for the books. He came in with high energy and immediately made the stage his playground. His charisma was magnetic, drawing eyes wherever he moved, and the crowd matched his energy from the first note. Then, in one of the most talked-about moments of the day, he executed a perfect backflip mid-set, earning a roar from fans that shook the tent. It was bold, fun, and pure entertainment.

Fans were ready for him, too. Many showed up with temporary tattoos of his name across their arms and faces, a sign of just how excited they were to see him live. His cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” turned into a massive sing-along, but it was his song “Medusa” that became the centerpiece of the performance. The energy in the crowd was explosive, and by the end of his set, Cameron had solidified himself as a breakout act with a performance that nobody will forget.

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-4

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-1

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-5

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-2

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-6

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-3

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-7

CameronWhitcomb-BootsandHearts25-Steph.SnapePhotos-8

Tyler Hubbard Brings the Hits

Tyler Hubbard hit the main stage at the perfect time, with the rain gone and the sky opening into a golden evening glow. His set was a balanced mix of solo material and hits from his Florida Georgia Line days, keeping the crowd on its toes and giving everyone something to sing to. Fans waved their hands, held phones high, and embraced the nostalgia when classics like “Meant to Be” rang out across the grounds. His voice carried with ease, and the atmosphere felt like one big shared memory.

Not content with just singing, Tyler made sure to connect with the audience at every chance. He threw out merch to fans in the front rows, shared stories about his music, and even reached back into his catalog as far as 2012. Each moment felt intentional, like he wanted the crowd to experience the full journey of his career. By the end, the stage area was packed, and the roar of the crowd confirmed Tyler delivered one of the most polished and fan-focused sets of the day.

Bailey Zimmerman Closes in Spectacular Fashion

Bailey Zimmerman’s closing set on the main stage was nothing short of a spectacle. Fans had already seen him around the festival, from an album release party on Thursday night to autograph signings in the campgrounds earlier in the day. By the time he stepped on stage, excitement was at an all-time high. His entrance was jaw-dropping as he swung in on a giant rope while pyro and smoke exploded around him. It was a headliner-worthy moment that had everyone screaming.

The rest of his performance never let up. With a massive stage setup full of lights, Bailey launched into fan favorites and new tracks like “Coming in Cold.” He took the time to speak to the crowd about his journey, reflecting on how just two years earlier he played a smaller slot at Boots and now stood closing the entire main stage. That honesty combined with his unmatched energy created one of the most powerful connections of the weekend. His set felt like a milestone for both him and the festival.

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (10)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (11)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (12)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (14)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (13)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (15)

Bailey Zimmerman - Boots 2025 (WEB) (16)

A Day That Will Be Remembered

Boots and Hearts 2025 Day 1 may have started with chaos, but it ended in triumph. The rain delays tested the patience of artists and fans alike, yet the determination to keep the music alive made the eventual performances even sweeter. Each act leaned into the energy of the day, from intimate tent shows to roaring main stage spectacles.

By the time Bailey Zimmerman closed out the night, it was clear the festival had overcome its obstacles in the most spectacular way. Fans left buzzing about the performances, already talking about the days ahead. Boots and Hearts 2025 Day 1 proved that even when storms roll in, the power of music, community, and resilience always wins.

https://bootsandhearts.com

Send us a message here