Lainey Wilson Makes History at the Illinois State Fair
A hot and humid Saturday night didn’t stop thousands of fans from packing the Illinois State Fair Grandstand to see country superstar Lainey Wilson up close. Cowboy hats, bell bottoms, and Lainey Wilson merchandise filled the grandstand as fans gathered for one of the most anticipated shows of the fair’s opening weekend. Tigirlily Gold, sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, kicked off the night with a 40-minute set that immediately brought energy to an already steamy grandstand. The duo, who hail from North Dakota, were a fitting choice to open the fair’s first weekend, bringing a distinctly Midwestern flavor to the country lineup.
Taken with iphoneThey opened with “Country & Midwestern,” the title track from their upcoming album. The song, which was released as a single earlier this year, perfectly captured the sisters’ Midwestern identity and set the tone for the rest of their set. Their full Country & Midwestern album is scheduled for release on October 9th. The sisters turned up the heat with the unreleased “70 and Neon” before moving through crowd favorites including “Shoot Tequila” and “I Tried a Ring On.” Their set showcased the combination of polished harmonies, infectious energy, and humor that has helped Tigirlily Gold build a following well beyond their home state. They saved one of their biggest surprises for the finale, closing with an electric country-rock take on Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
Taken with iphoneLainey opened her set with the appropriately high-energy “Can’t Sit Still,” immediately giving the crowd exactly what they came for. Dressed in a leather corset and her signature black leather bell bottoms, Wilson looked every bit the country superstar as she commanded the stage. During “Good Horses,” Wilson brought Tigirlily Gold back to the stage for a special collaboration while galloping horses played across the giant screen behind them. The visual fit the song perfectly and added another memorable moment to an already theatrical show.
Taken with iphoneWilson also reached back into her catalog with “Dirty Looks” before going into her latest single “Phone, Keys, Wallet.” The new song features John Mayer on guitar. Wilson has described the song as being about finding someone who is willing to embrace the chaos of life and love you through it. Before launching into the song, Wilson even taught the crowd the dance that goes along with it, turning thousands of concertgoers into backup dancers.
Taken with iphoneSome of the night’s biggest cheers came from the youngest fans in the audience. Young girls sat on their dads’ shoulders, waving homemade signs and hoping to be chosen as Wilson’s “Cowgirl of the Night.” The tradition has become a signature part of Wilson’s shows. Each night, she selects a young girl from the crowd, brings her onstage, and leads her through affirmations about being beautiful, smart, talented, and fearless.
The set moved from “Smell Like Smoke” to “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” and “Watermelon Moonshine,” with Wilson mixing powerhouse vocals, choreography, jokes, and plenty of personality throughout the night. The newer material also showed a softer side of Wilson. “4X4XU” and “Somewhere Over Laredo” leaned into the romantic side of her music, reflecting a more personal chapter for the country star.
Taken with iphoneBy the time Wilson reached “Heart Like a Truck,” the entire grandstand was on its feet. The crowd sang along to every word, bringing the night to a fitting close. This show made Illinois State Fair history. A reported 15,533 fans filled the Grandstand for Wilson’s performance, edging out the previous record of 15,532 set by Megan Moroney in 2025. However, this record may not stand for long. Ella Langley is scheduled to take the Grandstand stage on August 21st with Ernest. With another country-heavy crowd expected, Wilson’s record could have a short reign.
But on this particular night, the spotlight belonged to Lainey Wilson. It was hot. It was humid. It was loud. And it was one heck of a night at the Illinois State Fair.
