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We're still not over how spectacular the 2025 edition of CMA Fest Presented by SoFi was, with a dizzy array of top-tier artists descending on Nashville for the four-day extravaganza.
With the 2025 CMA Fest Presented by SoFi TV Special airing last night (Thursday, June 16th), and with the three-hour highlights show now available to stream via Hulu, we've decided to take a look through some of the most memorable performances.
Whether we were rapping along to Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug, holding our hands aloft to Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll or screaming into the Music City night with around 60,000 fellow country music fans to Rascal Flatts, it was a festival overflowing with joy.
To break it all down and reminisce on some of our favourite moments from this year's festivities, here are Holler's Best Performances from the 2025 CMA Fest Presented by SoFi TV Special.
1. Bailey Zimmerman Links Up with BigXthaPlug for an Electric Rendition of ‘All The Way’
We had a sneaking suspicion that BigXthaPlug might be waiting in the wings, but that didn't take away from the excitement when the ‘Texas’ rapper emerged on-stage with Bailey Zimmerman to perform their viral, heartbroken 2025 anthem, ‘All The Way’.
Serving as the lead single from BigXthaPlug's forthcoming country EP, I Hope You're Happy, ‘All The Way’ is already establishing itself as a contender for one of ‘the biggest, the largest’ songs of 2025. BigX's charismatic, quick-fire delivery was on full display throughout this set, while Zimmerman's signature vibrato lit up the hook.
2. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll Take Nissan Stadium to Church with Soul-Stirring Performance of ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’
He might have been on the Spotlight Stage, but Brandon Lake had the entire Nissan Stadium in the palm of his band when he launched into his hit anthem, ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’.
The stirring, soulful track, which finds Lake reflecting on the battles he's faced along the way to finding faith, was given an additional boost of intensity and emotionality when Jelly Roll sauntered onto the stage to deliver his uplifting second verse.
The duo's impassioned, rasp-infused vocals complemented one another seamlessly, with their warm friendship radiating throughout. As the spiritually-minded anthem reached its powerful crescendo, a choir was introduced and a hologram of the cross flashed up above the stadium, creating a truly spine-tingling moment. What was most striking about this unforgettable performance was just how deeply both Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll felt every single lyric as they delivered it.
3. Brooks & Dunn Join Forces with Lainey Wilson for Honky Tonkin’ Take on ‘Play Something Country’
There were a plethora of star-studded on-stage collaborations to choose from during the CMA Fest 2025 TV Special, but one of the most momentous was undoubtedly Brooks & Dunn's blockbuster joint rendition of ’Play Somethin’ Country’ with Lainey Wilson.
The performance oozed swagger and levity, with Lainey Wilson showcasing exactly why she's ascended to become one of modern country's leading figures in recent years. B&D, meanwhile, reminded us why they're one of the genre's all-time greats, with this revamped take on ‘Play Somethin’ Country’ cementing itself as one of the best tracks from the ‘90's country legends’ 2024 Reboot II project.
4. Megan Moroney Celebrates Her Second No. 1 Single with Stunning Version of ‘Am I Okay?’
This performance felt like a big gleeful toast to Megan Moroney's meteoric ascent over the past two years, with the Georgia native earning her second No. 1 at Country Radio shortly after this set. Moroney gave this live rendition of ‘Am I Okay?’ the wonderfully tongue-in-cheek tone of the studio version as she strode across the stage.
Compared to last year's CMA Fest performance, and with an array of stadium concerts with Kenny Chesney under her belt, Moroney looked assured and at ease with this scale of venue. And it's a good thing, too, because you can't help but feel the ‘Tennessee Orange’ hitmaker will be headlining her own show here before too long.
5. Rascal Flatts Lead Stadium-Wide Sing-a-Long with Fan-Favourite, ‘Life is a Highway’
We challenge anyone to hear the opening riff of ‘Life is a Highway’ and not feel the urge to jump in your car, roll your windows down and start singing at the top of your lungs.
As their 2025 Greatest Hits project underlined, Rascal Flatts possess a stellar back catalogue - but no other song can produce the fervent response that ‘Life is a Highway’ can. Hearing 60,000 fans joining Gary LeVox as he croons the iconic hook? Chills.
The ‘CMA Fest Presented by SoFi 2025’ TV Special is available to stream now on Hulu
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