Chicago's Windy City Smokeout To Celebrate 10 Years With A Stacked Lineup, Feat. Zach Bryan & More

February 28th 2023

What do you get when you mix country music, BBQ, a killer lineup and the backdrop of one of America's best cities? You get Chicago's own Windy City Smokeout!

The reigning ACM "Festival of The Year," is back for its 10th year, and fans can expect the best year yet!

Photo Credit Jeff Marini

Get this, GRAMMY award winner Zac Brown Band, the decorated ACM and CMA award winner Luke Bryan, GRAMMY award winner Darius Rucker, and GRAMMY award nominee Zach Bryan, who will headline the opening night.

The stacked lineup was handpicked by Chicago country music staple and multiple ACM Promoter of The Year Winner Ed Warm. To celebrate a decade of success in his home city, Ed has picked some of the biggest names in country music to headline each night. As well as a mix of todays biggest up and comers have also been included in the one of a kind lineup!

The festival runs Thursday July 13th thru Sunday July 16th features some of the best new faces in the genre, and has been known to catapult the careers some some the biggest names. Like your reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the year Lainey Wilson. Breakout stars Jackson Dean, Megan Moroney and Kameron Marlowe are also on the bill. Love the TV show Yellowstone? Luke Grimes, aka Kacey Dutton will be making his Smokeout debut on Sunday!

Smokeout has always done a wonderful job of showcasing all aspects of the genre. Thursdays acts are some of the best Texas country and Americana acts around!

Photo Credit Katie Kauss

But that is not all, the festival has also curated some of the best BBQ you can find from around the country that fans can enjoy along with the music! From brisket to pulled pork, and some of the most creative BBQ sides, the Smokeout team does a phenomenal job of curating some of the best BBQ from Chicago and beyond. While the pit masters for this year have not been announced, there are sure to be nearly two dozen great options this year. Crossing our fingers for more brisket elotes! And what goes best with BBQ, ice cold beer! The festival also features of the best local and national breweries.

Photo Thanks To Windy City Smokeout

Want to start you weekend early? Fans can join famed seltzer brand Mamitas for The Biggest Happy Hours of the Summer! Each event will feature $6 domestic and $7 craft beers with live music from up-and-coming artists. Access to each happy hour is included with a Thursday, Friday, or 4-day pass. Drinks are a la carte, but so worth it.

Photo Thanks To Windy City Smokeout

Windy City Smokeout is known for good music, good times and even better BBQ in one of the countries best country music cities! Did you know that Chicago was Spotify's number one country music city in 2021?

Windy City Smokeout is truly a one of a kind fest in a one of a kind town! Get your tickets fast as the festival will sell out! You know where to find us this July!

The full list of country music acts by day include:

Thursday, July 13: Zach Bryan, Randy Rogers Band, Bailey Zimmerman, American Aquarium, J.R. Carroll

Friday, July 14: Darius Rucker, Chris Lane, Jo Dee Messina, Jackson Dean, Drew Green

Saturday, July 15: Luke Bryan, Dylan Scott, Kameron Marlowe, Megan Moroney, Tanner Adell

Sunday, July 16: Zac Brown Band, Eli Young Band, Larry Fleet, Luke Grimes, Caroline Jones, Lauren Watkins