Country music fans have learned to expect the unexpected at CMA Fest.
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Miranda Lambert gave festival-goers the ultimate surprise during her set at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium (June 9) over the weekend when she invited Avril Lavigne to the spotlight.
“I’m out here to make more badass happen right now,” said Lambert to the rowdy crowd. “Y’all welcome my new bestie, Avril Lavigne, to the stage.”
The pop-punk artist ran out to the stage and without any hesitation launched into Lambert’s throwback track “Kerosene.”
The revenge banger was released in 2005 and served as the lead single from Lambert’s debut studio album. The country sensation penned the assertive anthem alongside esteemed songsmith Steve Earle. The razor-sharp lyrics convey a sense of women’s empowerment, as the protagonist rediscovers her self-worth after being wronged by a man in a romantic relationship.
I gave it everything I had and everything I got was bad | Life ain’t hard, but it’s too long to live it like some country song | Trade the truth in for a lie, cheatin’ really ain’t a crime, the two belted. I’m givin’ up on love ’cause love’s given up on me | Forget your high society, I’m shaking it in kerosene | Light ’em up and watch them burn, teach them what they need to learn.
The hitmakers flawlessly transitioned into Lavigne’s early 2000s smash single “Sk8er Boi.” Once the audience heard the stirring introduction, the stadium erupted. Lavigne kicked off the track, as Lambert tackled the second verse – displaying her genre-bending sound.
“Sk8er Boi” became Lavigne’s golden ticket to stardom, transforming her into a prominent figure in the alternative rock scene. It reached commercial success upon release, securing a spot in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Lambert also invited Elle King to deliver their No.1 hit “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home), and Leon Bridges to perform their latest duet “If You Were Mine.” The majority of her captivating set was high energy with contagious renditions of “Little Red Wagon,” “Gunpowder & Lead,” and “Mama’s Broken Heart.” Although, the vocalist took it down a notch to share fan favorite, “Bluebird.”
“I’d rope the moon for these friends #cmafest,” Lambert wrote on Instagram alongside an Instagram carousel with highlights. “Love you forever,” commented King.
The performance will be featured on ABC’s televised CMA special. The highly anticipated segment hosted by King, Lainey Wilson, and Dierks Bentley will air on Wednesday, July 19, at 8 p.m. ET.
Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage
