Ella Langley Shines in Nissan Stadium Debut at CMA Fest 2025
Ella Langley made her long-awaited Nissan Stadium debut during this year’s CMA Fest, and the Alabama native delivered a powerhouse performance that firmly stamped her name among country music’s rising stars.
A Standout Moment
Stepping onto the festival’s largest stage in a striking black leopard-print fringe outfit accented with silver jewelry, Langley commanded the crowd with her latest single, “weren’t for the wind.” Her confident delivery and raw emotion captivated the audience, with fans singing along to the reflective chorus:
“Maybe that plane wouldn’t ever take off / Maybe that dust wouldn’t fly off the drive / Maybe that tumbleweed and me / Wouldn’t leave every other sunrise / Maybe I’d settle down, dig in some roots / Find me a farmhouse, find me a you / Maybe I wouldn’t be already gone again / If it weren’t for the wind.”
The track, from the deluxe edition of her 2024 album hungover, explores the restless pull of the road — a theme that resonates deeply with touring artists and fans alike.
From Riverfront to Stadium Lights
Langley also performed on the Chevy Riverfront Stage, but she admitted nothing compared to the feeling of stepping into Nissan Stadium.
“Nissan Stadium, that’s the biggest stage of all CMA Fest, right? There’s not much bigger than that,” she reflected. “It’s insane to walk out there and see that many people.”
Acknowledging Nashville’s sweltering summer heat, Langley praised fans for their dedication: “Every year they sweat, they stand in line, and they watch the shows. To get to play the stadium and cap the night off for some of them is just so special for me and my crew.”
A Year on the Road
Alongside her CMA Fest debut, Langley continues to build momentum. She’s joining Morgan Wallen and Riley Green on select tour dates this summer before returning to her own The Still Hungover Tour through early November. Her fan-favorite duet with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” remains a highlight of her growing catalog.
@musicmayhemmagazine.com Don’t miss @Ella Langley’s performance of “Weren’t for The Wind” on #CMAFest Presented by SoFi this Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and the next day on Hulu! #EllaLangley #EllaLangleyMusic #EllaLangleyLive #EllaLangleyConcert #CMAFest2025 #WerentForTheWind #CountryMusic #Country #Nashville #NashvilleTN ♬ original sound – Music Mayhem
CMA Fest 2025 Highlights
Dubbed “The Music Event of Summer,” CMA Fest once again showcased the genre’s biggest names across four days in Music City. This year’s lineup featured Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, and many more, along with memorable collaborations including Brooks & Dunn with Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson with Carín León, and Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins.
The Nissan Stadium performances were filmed for ABC’s annual three-hour primetime special, marking the 22nd consecutive year CMA has brought its summer festival to national television.
A Star Ascending
For Ella Langley, CMA Fest 2025 was more than just another stop — it was a milestone. Her Nissan Stadium debut cemented her place as one of the genre’s most exciting young voices, proving that her journey from rising newcomer to bona fide superstar is well underway.