Festivals
Boots & Hearts Festival 2025 – Day Three Recap & Photos
By the time Saturday rolled around at Burl’s Creek, lightning and thunder was a thing of the past and the sun was back in full force, already claiming its victims. Red shoulders, parched throats, and hats lost the battle against dust. But that did not slow down the fans. Day Three of Boots & Hearts Festival 2025 sold out before the gates even opened, and the Burl’s Creek grounds felt like every country fan in Ontario had shown up with one mission: make it a day worth losing your voice over.
While we didn’t manage to catch all the amazing artists performing that day, here are the highlights of the ones we saw:
Kelsi Mayne wasted no time firing up the Front Porch stage, jumping between country grit and surprise genre shifts. One minute she was tearing through her own songs, the next she was blending Kings of Leon with Coolio. It was the kind of set that makes early arrivals grateful they skipped sleeping in.
Right after, Karli June kept the energy glowing in the mid-afternoon sun. Warm, conversational, and with vocals that could carry across the field without a mic, she turned her set into something intimate, even pulling in Justin Legacy for a duet that felt like a small-town porch jam with a few thousand friends watching.
Hailey Benedict was the first act on the Main Stage and proved why she’s being called one of country’s fastest-rising stars. She balanced high-energy confidence with the charm of someone who still looks genuinely grateful to be there. Her cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” got the crowd belting so loud you almost forgot it was still daylight.
As evening crept in, Chase Rice rolled in with swagger, striding down the catwalk like it was his own front driveway. His set jumped between party anthems and heart-tugging moments, with “Eyes on You” sending the crowd into one giant, swaying chorus of couples and friends.
At one point, he cracked open a bottle of Jack Daniels, tossed it into the pit, and promised the band wouldn’t stop until the bottle was drained. It was reckless, and perfectly on brand.
The night’s closer, Sam Hunt, took the stage like a man ready to finish the festival in style, but fate had other plans. A sudden power outage hit early in his set, halting the momentum. Hunt shook it off, came back swinging, and had the crowd screaming even louder… until it happened again. Unfortunately, this time the lights stayed out, cutting short what was shaping up to be an incredible headline set.
That didn’t stop the after-hours chaos. Down With Webster turned the late-night party into a full-body workout, with a spin on “A Thousand Miles” that somehow had more energy than any daylight set all weekend. By the time the last beat dropped, the festival grounds looked less like a tired crowd and more like a second wind had just kicked in.
Saturday at Boots & Hearts had it all: heat, hiccups, and a whole lot of music worth remembering. The only question now is how Sunday could possibly top it!
Stay tuned for our review of Sunday and our artist portraits!
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SAM HUNT
DOWN WITH WEBSTER
CHASE RICE
HAILEY BENEDICT
KARLI JUNE
KELSI MAYNE
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
Festivals
Jonas Brothers Announced As Friday Night Headliners At Boots And Hearts Music Festival
Republic Live, producers of the internationally acclaimed and multi-award-winning Boots and Hearts Music Festival, announce today that global superstars Jonas Brothers will make their first-ever country music festival debut as Friday night headliners for the August 7–9 weekend in Ontario at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds.
The multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-nominated Jonas Brothers bring their high-energy pop-rock show to Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, marking a major cultural moment for Boots and Hearts as the festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. With multiple #1 albums, decades of chart-topping hits, and a stadium-selling fanbase, their addition signals a bold evolution of Canada’s largest country music and camping festival. Known for cross-genre collaborations, including with country artists, and a live show packed with nostalgic hits across generations, the Jonas Brothers help deliver three days of non-stop music and unforgettable moments.
The Jonas Brothers join a powerhouse weekend lineup including Saturday night headliners, The Chicks (August 8), the GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning icons whose influence spans generations, and Sunday night headliners Rascal Flatts (August 9), the ACM Award-winning country hitmakers behind some of the genre’s most enduring anthems.
The 2026 lineup also features a dynamic mix of chart-topping stars and breakout artists shaping today’s country and crossover sound, including Russell Dickerson, Tucker Wetmore, Jessie Murph, Sam Barber, Dasha, Max McNown, Waylon Wyatt, The Jack Wharff Band, Kaitlin Butts, Ashley Cooke, and Emily Anne Roberts.
While the Jonas Brothers’ appearance marks a milestone moment, their presence also reflects country music’s evolving landscape. The band recently collaborated with Russell Dickerson, and their past associations with fellow Boots and Hearts artists, Rascal Flatts and Ashley Cooke, have further connected their sound to the modern country ecosystem.
Staying true to its roots, Boots and Hearts will continue to spotlight Canadian hit makers throughout the weekend, with Brett Kissel, James Barker Band, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and the best in new Canadian talent like Thelma & James, Savannah Jade, Tony Stevens, Mitch Zorn, and School House.
“Country music continues to grow by reaching new audiences, and many of the artists on this lineup helped lead that growth by creating music that connects across generations and genres. The Jonas Brothers have embraced cross-genre collaboration in the country space, while artists like The Chicks and Rascal Flatts helped open the door for the genre’s mainstream and crossover success,” shares Brooke Dunford, Director of Talent Buying & Business Development for Republic Live. “Bringing them together reflects how fans are consuming music today and we’re proud to follow that creative momentum at Boots and Hearts .”
With the addition of the Jonas Brothers, Boots and Hearts delivers a rare weekend bringing together multiple arena and stadium-level live acts on one festival bill – reinforcing its reputation as a must-attend destination for unforgettable, large-scale performances.
Festival line-up by day below.
Friday, August 7 – Main Stage
Jonas Brothers
Russell Dickerson
Dasha
Friday, August 7 –Front Porch Stage
Brett Kissel (CAN)
Emily Anne Roberts
School House (CAN)
Saturday, August 8 – Main Stage
The Chicks
Jessie Murph
Waylon Wyatt
Carolyn Dawn Johnson (CAN)
Saturday, August 8 – Front Porch Stage
Sam Barber
Thelma & James (CAN)
The Jack Wharff Band
Tony Stevens
Sunday, August 9 – Main Stage
Rascal Flatts
Tucker Wetmore
James Barker Band (CAN)
Ashley Cooke
Sunday, August 10 –Front Porch Stage
Max McNown
Kaitlin Butts
Mitch Zorn (CAN)
Savannah Jade (CAN)
“Boots and Hearts has always been about the moments music creates. It’s about community, unforgettable experiences, and bringing artists together that have never shared the stage,” says Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live. “As we celebrate 15 years of the festival, we’re proud to honour that spirit in a way that feels truly authentic. While music brings us together, it’s the memories we create that last a lifetime.”
Elevating the fan experience even further in 2026, Republic Live introduces two new premium options: Daisy Duke’s Deck VIP+ at the Main Stage and the Front Porch VIP area, giving fans new ways to enjoy the festival in elevated style.
Already an eight-time CCMA Country Festival of the Year winner and recognized by the Academy of Country Music for Festival of the Year, Boots and Hearts continues to set the standard for world-class festival experiences.
All ticket types, including weekend, single-day, camping and parking, are now available for purchase at www.bootsandhearts.com. Fans can also take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna. For more exciting announcements and information about the 2026 Boots and Hearts Music Festival, visit the website HERE.
Festivals
Boots And Hearts West Unveils Additional Artists For The Inaugural Festival In Edmonton
Boots and Hearts West announces an exciting new wave of artists set to perform across two stages on August 28 and 29 at Fan Park at @ ICE District, outside Rogers Place in Edmonton. Joining previously announced headliners—Platinum-selling hitmaker Russell Dickerson and genre-blending trailblazer Shaboozey, fresh off his GRAMMY win—the newly revealed lineup features a dynamic mix of chart-toppers, breakout talent, and fan favourites. This latest announcement builds momentum for what is shaping up to be a must-attend weekend for country and crossover music fans across Western Canada.
Added to Friday’s (8/28) line-up is Gold-certified selling artist and rising star Max McNown, known for his heartfelt songwriting and rapidly growing fanbase, alongside three of Canada’s most exciting voices, JUNO award-nominated artist Tyler Joe Miller, Alberta favourite Kalsey Kulyk and emerging artist Dawson Gray.
Saturday (8/29) will feature critically acclaimed GRAMMY, ACM, and CMA-nominated neotraditional country trio Midland, breakthrough duo Thelma & James – marking their first Alberta homecoming performance – breakout artist Zach McPhee, and newcomer Brock Phillips. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.
Festival lineup by day below.
Friday, August 28
Russell Dickerson
Max McNown
Tyler Joe Miller
Kalsey Kulyk
Dawson Gray
Saturday, August 29
Shaboozey
Midland
Thelma & James
Zach McPhee
Brock Phillips
“Seeing Boots and Hearts West continue to take shape with our partners at OEGSE is incredibly exciting. This lineup builds on the energy we’re bringing to Edmonton and reflects our commitment to a thoughtfully curated festival experience. From the artists to the setting at ICE District, we can’t wait to see BootsLife come alive in the West and create two unforgettable days of live music this summer,” shares Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live.
Boots and Hearts West will bring the spirit, energy and community of the multi-award-winning festival to Edmonton for the first time this year. For over a decade, Boots and Hearts Music Festival and Republic Live have built a loyal fan base drawn to its signature blend of music, community and unforgettable experiences. An eight-time Canadian Country Music Association Award winner for Country Festival of the Year and recognized by the Academy of Country Music for Festival of the Year, the festival continues to grow by delivering world-class country events directly to country fans across the nation. Boots and Hearts West builds on that legacy, expanding the festival’s footprint into Western Canada and offering fans new ways to experience the festival they love.
Tickets are available for sale exclusively at www.bootsandheartswest.com. Fans can also take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna. Additional festival details will be shared in the coming months.