BAREFOOT ON THE BOARDWALK
How Jason Aldean and Country’s Elite
Are Taking Over the Jersey Shore in 2025
There’s something unmistakably special about a summer evening on the Jersey Shore: the scent of saltwater taffy, the hum of the boardwalk beneath your feet, and now—thanks to the Barefoot Country Music Festival (BCMF) — the thunderous twang of guitars and the roar of tens of thousands of country fans singing along in unison. From June 19th to 22nd, 2025, the beach town of Wildwood, New Jersey, will be transformed into a country music mecca for the fifth edition of the Barefoot Country Music Festival. And this year, it’s not just any headliner bringing the heat to the Shore— Jason Aldean, the genre’s long-reigning rock-country rebel, is anchoring the lineup in what promises to be a defining performance of the summer.
FROM NASHVILLE
TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC
When you think of country music’s typical hotspots, locales like Nashville, Dallas, or even Atlanta come to mind. You don’t think of New York, the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore. But for one long weekend every summer, a remarkable shift happens: country fans from all over the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and beyond descend on Wildwood. BCMF turns the Shore into rhinestone rocker and fan heaven. They come for the music, the beachside vibe, and an unforgettable experience.
Started in 2021, the Barefoot Country Music Festival has grown from a daring idea into one of the largest outdoor country music events on the East Coast.
Held on the beach adjacent to the historic Wildwood Boardwalk, the event uniquely blends seaside charm with stadium-level spectacle.
With more than 40 artists spread across multiple stages, it’s a celebration of everything country stands for: stories, soul, and shared experience.
This year, that experience reaches new heights with the arrival of country’s most notorious and beloved rebel; Jason Aldean. His no-holds-barred approach to live performance and genre-defying catalog make him an ideal centerpiece for what has quickly become the most anticipated country fest of the summer season.
JASON ALDEAN:
FULL THROTTLE TO THE SHORE For Jason Aldean, 2025 marks a return to the road in massive fashion. The “Full Throttle Tour”, which kicked off in late spring, is one of the most anticipated tours in country music this year. And his BCMF performance, set for Saturday night under the stars, is expected to be the emotional and musical climax of the weekend.
Aldean’s journey is well-known: a Georgia-born singer who fought for years to find his place in Nashville, only to redefine modern country once he arrived. With chart-topping hits like “Dirt Road Anthem,” “My Kinda Party,” “She’s Country,” and the contemplative “You Make It Easy,” Aldean has spent nearly two decades walking the line between country grit and arena rock polish. That duality is what makes him not only relevant—but irreplaceable. In recent years, hits like “Try That In A Small Town,” “Let Your Boys be Country,” and “Highway Desperado” have all cemented Aldean’s reign at the top of the Opry.
BCMF producers reportedly designed much of the 2025 festival’s structure around Aldean’s headline slot, aiming to give him a massive stage to deliver a career-spanning setlist that fans will be talking about long after summer ends.
And Aldean’s take on it? “There’s something about the Jersey crowd—they bring energy that’s just wild,” he told reporters during a recent stop on his tour. “Playing on a beach with 40,000 people, waves crashing nearby, everyone barefoot and singing along? That’s what country music should feel like—real, rowdy, and full of life.”
THE LINEUP:
A SYMPHONY OF COUNTRY VOICES Of course, Jason Aldean is just the tip of the musical iceberg at BCMF 2025. This year’s lineup reads like a curated Spotify playlist of today’s most buzzed-about acts.
Joining Aldean on the headliner slate is Lainey Wilson,
the bell-bottomed outlaw who’s taking home awards as fast as she’s collecting fans. Her blend of classic country, swampy soul, and modern empowerment anthems is expected to be a standout.
To close-out the headline section, Jelly Roll, the Nashville rapper-turned-balladeer whose emotional storytelling has taken over airwaves and arenas, returns to BCMF for his second appearance—this time with a bigger stage and even more fans. Jelly Roll recently made headlines for his critically acclaimed performances as well as an incredible weight loss journey.
ENDLESS TALENT
Rascal Flatts, fresh off a reunion announcement, are bringing decades of feel-good, harmony-laden hits to Sunday night. Jordan Davis: Davis’s smooth vocals and catchy tunes have quickly propelled him to stardom.
Megan Moroney: A rising star, Moroney’s authentic songwriting resonates with fans seeking genuine narratives.
Chris Janson: Known for his high-energy performances, Janson’s charisma is infectious.
Warren Zeiders: With a voice that exudes raw emotion, Zeiders is a name to watch.
Boyz II Men: Adding a touch of R&B flair, the inclusion of the legendary crooners showcases BCMF’s commitment to musical diversity.
Other featured artists include Jordan Davis, Megan Moroney, Colt Ford, Warren Zeiders, and newcomers who are expected to break out by summer’s end.
From legends to fresh faces, the talent pool is deep—and incredibly diverse. Festival organizers say that’s by design, “We want to showcase the full spectrum of country music,” said BCMF Executive Producer Rob Pederson. “Jason [Aldean] might be the anchor, but we’re building an experience that spans generations, tastes, and regions. If you love country in any form, BCMF 2025 is for you.”
THE VIP EXPERIENCE:
COUNTRY IN STYLE
While general admission tickets grant access to the full slate of performances, BCMF has become increasingly known for its luxurious VIP offerings. For New York-based country fans who want comfort and convenience, the SVIP (Super VIP) package is worth the investment.
SVIP passholders enjoy front-row access, exclusive lounges with elevated food and beverage options, luxury restrooms, artist meet-and-greets, and more. There’s even a raised platform with ocean views—perfect for Instagram-able sunset shots while your favorite act plays on stage.
Aldean’s team is rumored to have collaborated on some unique SVIP activations for his Saturday set, including custom cocktails and an on-site merch launch.
GRAND OLE OPRY
Anyone who knows or loves country music knows the granddaddy of all venues, The Grand Ole Opry. This year, the Opry and BCMF are teaming up for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of country’s yesterday, today and tomorrow! From Opry icons to today’s rising stars, BCMF has packed this weekend with performances that are the stuff legend is truly made of.
OPRY NEXTSTAGE AT BCMF
Every year, BCMF brings the best and brightest of country’s charts, as well as the stars of tomorrow. But this year, Opry’s NextStage program is turning up the volume with Kaitlin Butts, Bayker Blankenship, and Tigirlily Gold!
As BCMF and Opry have stated, “These future superstars will be taking the stage throughout the weekend, alongside NextStage alumni like Lainey Wilson, Warren Zeiders, and Megan Moroney. That’s some serious talent, y’all.”
A PIECE OF HISTORY MAKES ITS BCMF DEBUT
If you have ever visited the The Grand Ole Opry, you would have seen the legendary mic stand. And for those country fans who haven’t seen it, now’s your chance! As BCMF has told New York Lifestyles Magazine, “The Grand Ole Opry’s legendary mic stand is leaving Music City and heading to the BCMF stage! That means some of your favorite artists will be singing straight into country music history—but with a whole lot more sand between their toes.”
NEW YORK MEETS NASHVILLE
And no, we are not talking about a former hit TV show. For New Yorkers — especially those craving a summer escape without booking a flight out of the tri-state — BCMF is just a few hours away. Hop on the Garden State Parkway, take the ferry from Long Island, or organize a group bus rental and you’re there.
But it’s not just about convenience. There’s a cultural synergy happening here. New York City has always been a hub of musical evolution. And in recent years, country music has exploded in popularity across the five boroughs and all demographics. Whether it’s honky-tonk nights in Brooklyn bars, country line dancing in Queens, or Jason Aldean blaring from rooftop parties on the Upper West Side, New Yorkers are embracing country in all its forms.
BCMF offers a chance for those fans to connect not just with the music, but with a broader community of like-minded revelers. Here, boots meet Birkenstocks, cowboy hats mix with Yankees caps, and music erases the lines between urban and rural.
BCMF’S LEGACY:
LOOKING AHEAD With its fifth anniversary, BCMF isn’t just another summer event—it’s cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of East Coast music culture. It is has quickly become country’s northeast home.
Each year, the festival grows larger and larger with bigger productions, stronger partnerships and increasingly popular talent! And if Jason Aldean’s involvement is any indicator, it’s clear that the biggest names in the business see BCMF as a must-play destination.
What started as a novel idea has evolved into a lifestyle movement — one that blends freedom, music, and the kind of joy that can only be found under open skies with bare feet in the sand.
PACK YOUR BOOTS,
GRAB YOUR SHADES So, here’s your call to action, New Yorkers: skip the Hamptons for a weekend. Forget the Hudson Valley for this week in June. Instead, head south and immerse yourself in a weekend where Southern hospitality meets Atlantic coast cool.
The Barefoot Country Music Festival 2025 isn’t just a concert. It’s a statement. And it’s one you won’t want to miss.
To learn more, please visit barefootcountrymusicfest.com