A stampede rolled through Michigan and left it's mark on over 20,000 country music fans.
The Inaugural "Faster Horses Festival" is in the books. The three day camping and country music festival brought over 20,000 fans to the grounds of Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI. Those in attendance were thrilled by performances by some of country music's biggest names. There was plenty more. The festival included 9 campgrounds on the grounds and treats inside the gates including: Two Stages of music, a huge water slide, a 100 foot swing ride, horse shows, and a foam party were just some of the highlights of the event.
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| Almost every artist took note of all the beautiful country ladies in the crowd. |
Friday, fans braved 90+ degree temperatures as the festival began. Jake Owen and Chris Young brought plenty of energy leading up to Dierks Bentley's breathtaking finale. Other acts playing Friday included Kix Brooks, David Nail, John Pardi, and Michigan locals Annabelle Road. Those camping had to deal with some strong overnight storms. These led to a Saturday morning spent drying out tents, clothes, and sleeping bags but did not seem to dampen anyone's spirits.
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| Dierks Bentley performs at Faster Horses 2013 |
Saturday fans arrived early for an all day party. Early acts included Brett Eldredge, Drake White, and Michigan locals Matt Austin and Paulina Jayne. Afternoon acts Colt Ford, Florida Georgia Line, and Thompson Square prepped the crowd for the highlight show of the weekend, Luke Bryan. Before Bryan the energy went to the next level during Florida Georgia Lines performance. Beach balls and a few article's of women's clothing were seen flying through the crowd and onto stage. Their hit song "Cruise" is now the biggest Billboard Hot Country Song chart-topper in 50 years! They along with Thompson Square would later join Bryan on stage for a medley of free styling songs to end the night.
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| Luke Bryan was the highlight of the weekend for many. |
Sunday the show started a little later giving fans a chance to recharge from the first two days. Rising star Chase Rice, who co-wrote Florida Georgia Line's hit "Cruise", got the party started on the Main Stage in the afternoon. Just like the previous two days the energy grew throughout the day as Jerrod Niemann and Thomas Rhett performed leading up to Jason Aldean, the grand finale. Aldean is no stranger to playing to big crowds and he showed it. His encore include his hit song "My Kinda Party" and I think everyone agreed it was definitely their kinda party.
Judging from social media messages from both fans and artists this stampede will be rolling through town again next year and it will be hard to top.