Red Solo cups, ‘90s nostalgia, and denim vests unite as Kid Rock, Nickelback, and a lineup straight out of your cousin’s favorite playlist descend on small towns across America.
Let’s set the stage. Kid Rock and Nickelback are joining forces in 2025 to “Rock the Country.” Yes, you read that right. It’s the musical team-up nobody asked for but somehow, in the depths of American nostalgia, everybody sort of expected. Throw in Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd (what’s left of them), and a hearty dose of Travis Tritt, and you've got yourself a lineup so patriotic it might as well come with a side of freedom fries and a Stars and Stripes tank top.
What exactly is the "Rock the Country" tour? Picture a 10-date traveling festival snaking through small-town America from April through July, with a detour at the Pepsi Rock the South festival in Cullman, Alabama. It’s going to be as American as apple pie—if apple pie wore a cowboy hat and listened to “Photograph” by Nickelback on repeat.
The Tour Dates: Yeehaw Times Ten
The first show kicks off in Livingston, Louisiana, on April 4th, before winding its way through such hotspots as York, PA, and Ocala, FL, because who needs New York City when you can have York, Pennsylvania? These concerts will be held in the kinds of places that proudly boast about their tractor pulls, county fairs, and ability to throw down on a tailgate. Each stop on this tour will have Kid Rock, Nickelback, and the rotating cast of other artists from ‘90s and early 2000s fame hitting local fairgrounds, race tracks, and parks that only get this level of action when the demolition derby comes to town.
So, if you’re wondering where the high school reunion meets country music and Creed’s Greatest Hits, this tour is it.
Nickelback: You Hate to Love Them, You Love to Hate Them
Nickelback, perhaps the most universally ridiculed band of the 21st century, is ready to reclaim its throne as that band everyone secretly blasts while grilling on a summer afternoon. Mike Kroeger, Nickelback’s bassist, summed it up with almost cringe-worthy sincerity: “There’s something special about connecting with fans in these communities, and we’re ready to bring our best and truly rock the country.”
Nickelback brings a touch of grunge—but don’t expect it to be too gritty. This is the grunge for your aunt who “loves rock but only after her second White Claw.” Expect all the hits: “How You Remind Me,” “Photograph,” and “Rockstar” will be sung at top volume as fans try to convince themselves this is what real rock sounds like.
Kid Rock: The All-American Brand You Can’t Shake
Now, let’s talk about Kid Rock, the mullet-rocking, freedom-preaching, unapologetically American headliner that completes this can’t-miss duo. Kid Rock has always been a fixture for fans who like a little politics with their power chords. He’s been doing this for decades—refusing to be pinned down as just a musician, he’s also a self-appointed cultural ambassador for those who think a bald eagle should be the next president.
And let’s be real: Kid Rock shows are almost a rite of passage in some parts of the country. His fans are loyal, likely rocking a mix of vintage band tees, patriotic paraphernalia, and that one cowboy hat they bought at a festival in 2003 and have worn to every concert since. He's the rare musician who can make a speech about the Constitution sound like part of a guitar solo.
The Supporting Lineup: A Patriotic Powerhouse of Past Hits
But wait, there's more! Joining Nickelback and Kid Rock are a veritable who's who of throwback rock, country, and Southern rock icons who’ve taken permanent residence in your dad's Spotify playlists. You've got Hank Williams Jr. belting out "A Country Boy Can Survive" for the thousandth time, because that song simply never goes out of style for anyone with a truck and a “Don’t Tread on Me” sticker.
3 Doors Down is also on the lineup, promising to play “Kryptonite” to anyone who’ll listen—and even to those who won’t. You might ask, “Didn’t they play that song at my high school prom?” Yes, yes they did. And now, thanks to this tour, you can hear it live as you stand between a guy who’s probably on his fifth Coors Light and someone wearing a vintage Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt who’s prepared to tell you every conspiracy theory about the band’s plane crash.
Other acts include Travis Tritt and Aaron Lewis, who bring enough Southern grit to remind everyone that country music used to be about trucks, heartbreak, and not showing your emotions. They’ll join forces with Lynyrd Skynyrd, now a tribute act to themselves, still playing “Sweet Home Alabama” as if it’s the very fabric holding together the Southern half of the country.
‘90s Happy Hour: Nostalgia Overload
And just when you thought this festival couldn't pack in more nostalgic power, enter the “'90s Happy Hour” stage. Imagine yourself vibing to Shenandoah, Mark Chestnutt, and Jo Dee Messina, with cameos from Tone Loc and the Ying Yang Twins, the latter of which will definitely bring an edge to what is otherwise a squarely country lineup. Who says you can’t combine hip hop with a slice of pure Americana?
Expect a few awkward moments as Afroman hits the stage with “Because I Got High” in the same lineup as Deana Carter, known for the much tamer hit “Strawberry Wine.” It’s the festival equivalent of putting ketchup on your mac and cheese—it shouldn’t work, but people are going to do it anyway.
The Ticket Experience: Because Patriotism Isn’t Cheap
Tickets for this two-day event are up for grabs on the Rock the Country website, where VIP packages include all the usual perks: early entry, access to a private porta-potty, and maybe, if you’re really lucky, a chance to snag a selfie with one of the lesser-known openers. And for the more dedicated fans, there’s always the option to buy up merch that screams “I survived the Nickelback-Kid Rock collaboration of 2025.”
And as a special note: don’t forget about Pepsi Rock the South. This is like the Coachella of conservative Southern rock festivals, minus the EDM, influencers, and flower crowns. If you’re really committed to seeing Kid Rock and Nickelback in the blazing Alabama sun with a few thousand of your closest kinfolk, this three-day fest in Cullman, Alabama, will be the event of the season.
What to Expect from the Crowd: Pure Americana
Who’s going to these shows? Think jean jackets, lots of flag bandanas, and “Don’t Mess with Texas” bumper stickers as far as the eye can see. It’s the one place where a truck decorated in camo wrap isn’t just a vehicle but a conversation starter. You’ll meet people who unironically think Nickelback is the best band of all time and who consider Kid Rock a national treasure.
This is the tour where small-town America gets to shine. Here, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear sunglasses inside, shotgun a beer at 2 p.m., and cheer whenever someone yells, “God Bless America!”
Why This Tour Matters (Or Doesn’t, Depending on Who You Ask)
On one hand, this is a musical monstrosity. It’s the ultimate dad-rock lineup, meticulously crafted to appeal to everyone who thinks “they just don’t make music like they used to.” But on the other hand, it’s also a brilliant slice of American culture, where rock, country, and nostalgia collide in a massive show of unapologetic patriotism.
And for those who are too cool to admit they like any of these artists? Remember, you’re just one karaoke night away from realizing that “Photograph” is actually the song of a generation. In a world where everyone is afraid to be labeled as “basic,” Kid Rock and Nickelback are here to remind us that sometimes, it’s okay to rock out to the guilty pleasures.
So, if you’re ready to throw on your most patriotic attire, scream along to every word of “Sweet Home Alabama,” and maybe get a sunburn in the shape of a trucker hat, grab your tickets to Rock the Country. It’s going to be the most American event of the year—and let’s be honest, it might just be the greatest red, white, and blue disaster to ever grace our fairgrounds.
In Her Studio Winter 2025