Ocean City, Maryland, wrapped up the second annual Country Calling Festival on October 5, 2025, with Luke Combs headlining the final day at the Ocean City Inlet Beach. The three-day event, running from October 3 to October 5, featured more than 25 country artists across three stages and drew a total of 153,000 attendees, according to festival organizers. Day 3 proceeded despite a mid-afternoon cancellation by Koe Wetzel, who cited mechanical issues with his aircraft preventing safe travel to the venue.
Wetzel announced the cancellation around 2 p.m. via social media, explaining that safety concerns with his plane left no alternative options for arrival. Festival staff adjusted the evening schedule, shifting set times for subsequent performers to fill the gap. The lineup for the day included Laci Kaye Booth at 1:15 p.m., The Castellows at 2 p.m., Chase Matthew and Margo Price at 3 p.m., Stephen Wilson Jr. at 4 p.m., Gabby Barrett and Gavin Adcock at 5 p.m., Ryan Bingham at 6 p.m., Gary Allan at 7 p.m., and Combs at 9 p.m., all performed across stages on the sand and boardwalk.
Attendees filled the beachfront area, where the ocean waves provided a constant backdrop to the music. Fans, many wearing cowboy hats, boots, and festival-branded shirts, gathered in groups, some spreading blankets on the sand while others stood near the stages, swaying to the rhythms. The venue incorporated local elements, such as the Jolly Roger amusement park within the grounds, where rides like the Ferris wheel loomed over the crowd, adding to the coastal carnival feel. Boats anchored offshore bobbed in the calm waters, with some boaters tuning in to the performances from the sea, as guitar strums and vocals carried across the inlet.
Despite the overcast conditions, the open-air setting allowed breezes from the Atlantic to circulate, keeping the atmosphere comfortable for the thousands in attendance. No major disruptions from the weather were reported, and the energy remained steady as fans navigated the sandy terrain.
Laci Kaye Booth kicked off the afternoon performances with an eight-song set, opening with “True Love” and including originals like “The Loneliest Girl in the World” and “Cigarettes.” She covered The Cranberries’ “Linger,” drawing nods from the crowd, before closing with “George F****** Straight.” The Castellows followed, delivering 14 songs that blended their tracks such as “No. 7 Road” and “Cowboy Kind of Love” with covers including Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” and The Beatles’ “Come Together.” A collaboration with Colby Acuff on “How Do I Feel Alive” added a layer of interaction, as audience members cheered the guest appearance.
At 3 p.m., Chase Matthew performed on one stage, starting with “Drives My Truck” and incorporating covers like Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” and Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.” He paused to lead a “Happy Birthday” singalong for a 7-year-old girl in the crowd, prompting smiles and applause from nearby fans. Margo Price took the parallel stage, though specific set details were not documented in available reports. Stephen Wilson Jr. at 4 p.m. set the tone for the evening buildup, leading into Gabby Barrett and Gavin Adcock at 5 p.m.
Adcock’s 16-song set featured “Sweetheart” and “Past Actions,” ending with covers of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Dinosaur” and Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes.” Fans echoed choruses, their voices mixing with the sea breeze, creating pockets of communal singing across the beach. Ryan Bingham at 6 p.m. focused on his repertoire, opening with “Nothin’ Holds Me Down” and including selections from his work with The Dead Horses, such as “Tell My Mother I Miss Her So” and “Hallelujah.” The performance concluded with “Bread and Water,” resonating against the fading daylight.
Gary Allan appeared at 7 p.m., offering 13 songs from his career, beginning with “Tough Goodbye” and featuring a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Her Man.” Tracks like “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” and “Watching Airplanes” elicited widespread participation, with sections of the crowd raising their phones to capture the moments under the emerging evening lights. The boardwalk’s glow illuminated faces, enhancing the seaside ambiance as dusk settled.
Luke Combs closed the festival at 9 p.m. with an 18-song set, starting with Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” before diving into originals including “When It Rains It Pours” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” A medley of “Someone You Loved,” “A Thousand Miles,” “Seven Nation Army,” and “Gimme Three Steps” showcased variety, leading to “Beer Never Broke My Heart” as the finale. Attendees described the performance as engaging, with many joining in on lyrics, contributing to a collective roar that echoed along the shore.
The festival’s second year demonstrated operational enhancements, including smoother entry processes and a range of local food vendors serving items like seafood and barbecue along the beach. No significant incidents marred the day, and the schedule adjustment for Wetzel’s absence maintained the flow. Organizers highlighted the integration of the boardwalk businesses, allowing fans to explore rides and games between sets, fostering a relaxed yet vibrant environment.
Country Calling traces to its debut in 2024, expanding to three days in 2025 to accommodate a larger lineup. The event, produced by C3 Presents, leverages Ocean City’s iconic boardwalk and inlet for a unique beachside experience, attracting visitors from across the region. Similar festivals in the area, such as Oceans Calling, have set precedents for large-scale music gatherings on the sand, with crowds appreciating the blend of live performances and ocean views.
