Review by Bailey Buck, Photos by Orest Dorosh – The boots are dusty, the hearts are full, and our vocal cords are officially shot. After four days of sun, songs, and more cowboy hats than a Garth Brooks concert, we’ve arrived at the final frontier: the last night of Boots and Hearts 2025. Was it worth the sunburn and questionable tan lines? Absolutely. And with Hardy ready to close the show, we’re about to find out if our eardrums can handle one last round.
Jessie T
JESSIE T blends country roots with a pop-rock edge. In 2024, she received three nominations at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards (Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year) and won three Waterloo Record Reader’s Choice Awards (Local Artist, Local Band and Local Entertainer). Jessie’s busy 2025 touring schedule includes this performance at Boots & Hearts Music Festival and Crooks Rapids Country Festival.
SULLY:
The Front Porch stage was absolutely electric as Sully Burrows took the crowd on a wild ride from start to finish. From the moment he stepped into the spotlight, the energy was through the roof, and it only got bigger when the team started handing out bright, orange foam fingers. Suddenly, the entire audience was a sea of pumping fists, each one a tiny cheerleader for the musical party happening on stage. Burrows’ infectious enthusiasm was impossible to resist, and the crowd was singing, shouting, and moving along with every beat, turning the venue into one big, happy hootenanny.
The afternoon hit a fever pitch when Burrows launched into his cover of Toby Keith’s classic, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” It wasn’t just a faithful rendition; it was a total reimagining that still had all the swagger of the original. The crowd went ballistic, joining in on every chorus with a roaring enthusiasm that shook the very foundations of the stage. The performance was a perfect storm of killer vocals, incredible stage presence, and a genuine connection with every single person in the audience. If you weren’t there, you missed a truly unforgettable night of music and pure, unadulterated fun.
LAKEVIEW
Lakeview’s performance on the Main Stage at Boots and Hearts was a powerful and much-needed jolt of energy. After a full day of traditional country sounds, their set was a welcome change, injecting the festival with a heavier, rock-infused sound that had the crowd fully engaged. The duo’s unique blend of metalcore roots and country storytelling proved to be a refreshing and compelling addition to the day’s lineup, showcasing a heavier side of the genre that resonated deeply with the audience and created a truly memorable experience.
ANDREW HYATT
Andrew Hyatt brought a powerful and consistent energy to the Front Porch stage on the closing day of Boots and Hearts. From the moment he stepped on stage, he commanded the crowd, maintaining a high-octane atmosphere throughout his set. The energy was infectious he rocked out to his single “Between the Lines,” picking up his guitar and diving into the heart of the song. Hyatt’s ability to engage the audience was a testament to his stage presence, and he left no doubt that he was there to make the closing day memorable for everyone in attendance.
(unfortunately we were unable to attend Andew’s performance to photograph. Photo from 2022)
The set list was a masterclass in dynamic performance, showcasing Hyatt’s versatility as an artist. He expertly blended his energetic crowd favorites with more introspective ballads like “Four Good Years” and “Neverland,” creating a perfectly paced show that kept the audience on their toes. A standout moment came when his band departed the stage, leaving him alone to deliver a raw and intimate version of “Time After Time.” The hushed crowd was captivated by this powerful, stripped-back performance. Just as quickly, he brought the energy roaring back with an amazing and energetic cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” ending the show on an unforgettable high note.
MEGHAN PATRICK
As the sole female artist to grace the main stage on this particular day at Boots and Hearts, Meghan Patrick not only carried the weight of the moment but soared with it, delivering what can only be described as one of the highest-energy performances of the entire weekend. From the instant she stepped into the spotlight, she commanded the stage with an undeniable charisma, a true MFP fashion that was a masterclass in captivating an audience. With every single note she sang, she proved she was a powerhouse, owning the melody and continuing to show us why she is one the the top country music stars of the entire genre.
The set was a spectacular journey through her catalog, but it was the heartfelt tribute to her father’s influence and her own genre-bending taste that truly elevated the performance to legendary status. With a raw, rock-and-roll spirit, she launched into a cover of a Led Zeppelin classic, and also surprised the crowd with an incredible rendition of No Doubt’s “I’m Just a Girl.” It was a stunning display of talent that left no doubt in anyone’s mind: this was more than just a concert; it was a career-defining moment, a reminder of Meghan Patrick’s unparalleled stage presence and vocal prowess.
DEFAULT
Default proved they were anything but a default choice for the Boots and Hearts side stage, delivering a high-energy set that pulled the early-arriving crowd from the beer tents to the barrier. Despite the relentless afternoon sun, the band’s raw, driving rock sound cut through the heat, with lead singer Dallas Smith commanding the stage and the audience with his powerful vocals. The real showstopper, however, came mid-set when they launched into an unexpected, blistering cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” transforming the country-music-focused festival into a classic rock revival. The surprise performance was a masterclass in versatility, showcasing their musical chops and leaving the audience buzzing long after the final note faded.
DAUGHTRY
Daughtry’s main stage performance at Boots and Hearts was a standout moment, captivating the audience with his powerful rock vocals. The energy in the crowd was electric as he ran through his catalog of hits, but the night took a truly special turn when he introduced his daughter to the stage. Their heartfelt duet of “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” created a moving and intimate atmosphere, with the crowd singing along to every word. The genuine pride and affection between father and daughter was clear for all to see, making it an unforgettable highlight of the entire festival.
STEPHEN WILSON JR
Stephen Wilson Jr. delivered a high-octane performance at the SiriusXM Front Porch Stage this past weekend at Boots and Hearts. Taking a break from the festival’s more traditional country acts, Wilson Jr. put on an electric and heavy show, thrilling the crowd with his distinct alt-country sound. The excitement peaked when headliner Hardy, who was performing on the main stage later in the evening, joined him for a powerful, unannounced duet, creating a truly unforgettable moment that highlighted the genre-bending talent of both artists.
KOE WETZEL
Texas rocker Koe Wetzel on the Main Stage on Sunday. As a newcomer to the festival, Wetzel made his debut alongside other rock-leaning acts like Daughtry and closer Hardy, bringing a distinctive, gritty edge to the final day’s lineup. His set was part of an exciting blend of country and rock music, and his presence helped close out the four-day event with a unique sound that was a highlight for many in the sweltering heat. The crowd, which was still in high spirits despite the long day, was fully engaged, enjoying a performance that showcased the festival’s commitment to both top-tier talent and a diverse musical experience.
HARDY
Hardy delivered a thunderous finale to Boots and Hearts 2025, proving exactly why he was chosen to close out the festival. In front of an estimated 30,000 enthusiastic fans, the country-rock trailblazer commanded the main stage with a set that was as unapologetically heavy as it was authentically country. The sweltering summer heat seemed to fuel the crowd’s energy, transforming the Burl’s Creek Event Grounds into a pulsating mass of cowboy hats and headbangers.
The performance was a masterclass in his unique genre-blending style, with a setlist that pulled from his chart-topping hits and rock-infused anthems. The crowd erupted for fan favorites like “Truck Bed” and “Give Heaven Some Hell,” singing along to every word with a fervor that matched Hardy’s own intensity. His powerful stage presence and gritty vocals were on full display, showcasing an artist at the top of his game.
One of the night’s standout moments was a surprise collaboration with Canadian country star Meghan Patrick, who joined him on stage for a powerful rendition of “wait in the truck.” The duet was a perfect fusion of their two styles and a genuine treat for the Canadian audience. Another memorable highlight came when Hardy brought a bottle of Jack Daniels on stage, challenging the crowd to finish it before the band stopped playing—a challenge they gleefully accepted, emptying the bottle faster than at any other show on the tour.
In the end, Hardy’s performance was more than just a concert; it was a collective release of emotion and a fitting conclusion to a weekend of music and memories. He left no doubt that he is one of country music’s most daring and dynamic voices, solidifying his status as a major headliner and leaving fans buzzing for days to come.
And just like that, the festival grounds are now quiet, but the memories are anything but. The final day of Boots and Hearts 2025 was a perfect mix of hard-rocking energy from acts like Daughtry and Koe Wetzel, and the pure electric chaos of Hardy’s headlining set. As we pack up our camps and say our final goodbyes, we’re left with the quiet realization that this is more than just a party—it’s a community. It’s a place where old friends reunite and new ones are made. Until we meet again, Boots and Hearts, thank you for the good times, the great music, and the memories we’ll be singing about for a year.
