Windy City Lakeshake June 22, 2018
Northernly Island, Chicago, IL, USA
by Shelly Hernandez
DAY ONE of the 4th annual Country Lakeshake Festival started out a bit wet with early morning rain but that didn’t stop the Country Loving Music fans from coming out to party with some of the biggest names in the industry. Like every day of the festival, Dee Jay Silver got the crowd riled up with his mix and ready to see performances by Runaway June, Raelynn, Locash, Tracy Lawrence, Lee Brice and headliner Blake Shelton on the main stage.
Runaway June was first to the main stage, dressed to impress in their throwback style and infectious smiles. Jennifer Wayne, Hannah Mulholland, and Naomi Cooke, could they possibly be any cuter? Check out their concert photos to see what I mean.
Former “The Voice” contestant on Team Blake, Raelynn also took to the main stage, following Runaway June, for a knockout performance. Raelynn’s debut single to country radio “God Made Girls” was first released on July 1, 2014, and though she was didn’t win that second season of “The Voice”, she was back and performed that hit single on Season 7. Apart from her voice, her jean jumper and the thigh high boots got everyone’s attention. She mentioned that she was happy that the weather cleared up a bit because she was determined to wear that outfit and let’s all just go ahead and agree she looked great. What a journey from choosing Team Blake in 2012 to performing at 2018 Lakeshake with Blake Shelton as the headliner.
At 5:05 things really got heated up when Locash took the stage. This American Country duo consists of vocalists Chris Lucas and Preston Brust. Best known for Top songs off their “The Fighter” album, “I love this Life”, “I Know Somebody” and “Ring on Every Finger”. Locash is currently working closely with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, even though they have their own thing going on they definitely have an FGL vibe and it’s fantastic. If you love country music lyrics with a mix of R&B, then Locash is a dream come true.
Born and raised with a love for more traditional Country Music is Tracy Lawrence. Tracy was 4th up on the main stage during Day 1 of Lakeshake. From his cowboy hat down to his cowboy boots, he is country through and through, with a musical career that took off in 1991 and his latest album released in 2017. It was a pleasure seeing him perform live.
Lee Brice!! He’s hard NOT to love, am I right? With so many great songs, how did he even choose what to sing at 2018 Country Lakeshake? I’m pretty sure that every person in attendance knew every word to every song. Lee performed “Boy”, “I don’t dance”, “I Drive Your Truck”, “Hard To Love”, “Crazy Girl” and so many more favorites – it was like a giant Karaoke party on the shore of Lake Michigan. If you missed this “Parking Lot Party” make sure you catch him in concert this summer, you won’t be disappointed.
I think we should rename Day One Country “Lakeshake” to Day One Country “Blakeshake”, the Blake Shelton performance was just that good. Blake just has a way of connecting to everyone through his music, lyrics, and personality.
Blake performed some of his best hits:
* Gonna
* Doin’ What She Likes
* She’s Got a Way With Words
* Sangria
* I’ll Name the Dogs
* Every Time I Hear That Song
* Guy with a Girl
* I Lived It
* Some Beach
* Ol’Red
* Came Here to Forget
* Home
* Sure Be Cool If You Did
* Hillbilly Bone
* Austin
* HoneyBee
* God Gave Me You
His playlist had people jumping with excitement one minute and slowing dancing the next, it was a perfect mix, creating a perfect end to day one. Blake, we are thankful God gave Country Music you!
The list of performances above was fantastic, but we can’t end Day One coverage without acknowledging that in between each artist on the Main Stage, including Dee Jay Silver, that there were five more up and coming artist on the Next From Nashville Stage. Keeping the party going all day on the second stage were Country Singers/Song Writers:
* Adam Doleac
* Mitchell Tenpenny
* Tyler Rich (I have a feeling we will be seeing this guy hit the main stage soon)
* The Steel Woods
* Dylan Schneider
One of the best parts of Country Lakeshake festival is the non-stop entertainment, from the Beer tents, Food vendors, Official Merchandise booths, and dual stages – it really is one of Chicago’s best summer events, rain or shine.
