Festgoers stopped their boots and sang along at the first-ever Country Night Lights. Sam Hunt was a major reason for most attendees coming out.
Rachel Williams, a student at Otterbein University, said she made the nearly hour-and-a-half trip to Athens for one reason — to see Sam Hunt at Country Night Lights.
“Sam Hunt is so attractive,” she said.
The new country music festival, hosted by Prime Social Group, took place at The Venue on State Route 56 on Saturday afternoon. Sam Hunt headlined the show, following performances by Chase Bryant, Easton Corbin and more.
Plenty of festgoers gathered by the stage. Others laid out on blankets and sat in chairs, and a few younger children sat on their parents shoulders to enjoy their day at the festival. Many came dressed head to toe in camouflage and plaid.
Carrie Ramage, a sophomore studying sociology criminology, spent all day at the festival and said the lineup was well chosen.
“Everyone that performed I thought put on a good show,” Ramage said.
Despite the festival starting at 2 p.m., the crowd was at its peak energy as Hunt entered the stage around 9:15 p.m. and kicked off his part of the night with his hit “Raised On It.”
After jumping off the stage, Hunt pressed against the metal barrier, the only thing separating him from the crowd, as he sang “House Party.” Hunt continued to sing completely unfazed as the girls in the front reached out and grabbed his arms, unwilling to let him go.
Hunt entertained with his hits, including “Cop Car,” though the night wasn’t just country.
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Hunt sang “We Are Tonight,” a song he co-wrote that was made famous by country artist Billy Currington. However, it wasn’t a typical country rendition. The beat to Rihanna’s “We Found Love” was intertwined midway through the song, and Hunt eventually broke into singing Rihanna’s hit.
“He sounds really good live and he had a great light show to go along with his performance,” Ramage said. “He moved around the stage and interacted with the audience a lot.”
Hunt never stayed in one spot on stage for long. At one point he climbed up a few feet on the metal frame of the stage during “Leave the Night On.”
Hunt ended the encore with “Break Up in a Small Town.” Lights flashed and guitars wailed as Hunt thanked the crowd and exited the stage for a final time.
Williams said she’d likely to return to the festival again, but only if Hunt was performing.
Brianna Foley, an undecided freshman, also came to the show to see Hunt perform.
“It was awesome,” she said. “Sam Hunt is hot, and he has a beautiful voice.”
Foley said she enjoyed the night overall, but specifically enjoyed hearing Hunt perform his final song.
Hunt was the clear highlight for some, such as Williams, though other acts added their own style of country music to the show.
Brooke Eden sang original pieces and even admitted to having a “women crush” on Little Big Town before singing the group’s hit “Girl Crush.”
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Chase Bryant, who is from Texas, stuck mainly to his music but had the crowd’s attention, especially when he jumped off the stage and sang inches from the audience.
“I feel like I should’ve been from Ohio because it’s a damn good party here tonight,” he said during his set.
Easton Corbin began with his hits, including “Clockwork” and “Roll With It,” and played a few new songs. He then switched up the set to include some music he grew up with.
After discussing some iconic artists, such as Michael Jackson, Corbin stuck to his roots and sang “John Deere Green” by Joe Diffie mixed with “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” by Toby Keith.
The crowd raised its cups in the air to Corbin. He picked up his red plastic cup, raised it up high, took a swig and tossed it out the crowd.
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