Lone Star Smokeout Day 3: Midland Brings Us Home

Mackenzie Carpenter joined Midland onstage to perform "I Wish You Would".

The final day of the Lone Star Smokeout 2025 brought a spectacular close to a three-day celebration of country music, barbecue, and Texas culture. As the sun blazed above AT&T Stadium, a diverse lineup of artists, food vendors, and lively festival-goers created a Sunday that felt like both a grand finale and a new tradition in the making.

As the early afternoon sun settled over Arlington, Kaitlin Butts took the stage and immediately commanded attention. Her storytelling, steeped in Southern gothic imagery and personal grit, stood in stark contrast to some of the festival’s flashier moments—and that contrast worked in her favor. With songs like “Marfa Lights” and the defiant “Roadrunner,” she brought swagger and bite, showing she could go toe-to-toe with any of the bigger names on the bill.

By mid-afternoon, the stadium grounds were packed with the scent of smoked brisket and the sound of beer cans cracking open. Fans gathered in large numbers for a home-state performance from the Eli Young Band, whose roots in Denton, Texas, made their set feel like a homecoming. Their crowd-pleasing anthems, including “Love Ain’t,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” and “Drunk Last Night,” brought arms into the air and voices into chorus.

One of the most talked-about moments of the day came early in the afternoon when Hudson Westbrook took the stage. The young Texas native brought a confident, humble presence to the stage—equal parts earnest newcomer and old-soul troubadour. From fan favorites like "5 to 9" and "Two Way Drive" to his newest single "Sober", Westbrook proved he can write not just catchy songs, but important ones.

As the sun began to settle behind the cabanas, DJ Pauly D took the stage in a surprising genre-bending slot that energized the crowd in a completely different way. Known for his appearances on Jersey Shore, Pauly D brought a set that mixed country remixes with EDM drops, pop hits, and a visual light show that turned AT&T Stadium into a nightclub under the Texas sky. Skeptics were quickly won over as the DJ read the crowd expertly, building momentum with every beat. His remix of Morgan Wallen's “Last Night” dropped to a sea of cowboy hats bouncing in rhythm, and his closing mashup of Garth Brooks and Calvin Harris lit up social media feeds. It was the most unexpected—and arguably most fun—set of the night.

Wyatt Flores, a breakout star from Oklahoma with growing national buzz, followed with a soul-baring set that balanced vulnerability and energy. Flores' mix of indie-Americana and country twang came through in songs like “Please Don’t Go” and “Holes.” His authenticity on stage—clearly emotional and deeply connected to his lyrics—earned him some of the loudest cheers of the day.

As night fully settled in, Midland took the stage for the final headlining set of the festival. The Texas-based trio, dressed in their signature retro Western attire, delivered a dazzling show rooted in honky-tonk swagger and 1970s country charm. Mark Wystrach’s rich vocals soared through hits like “Drinkin’ Problem,” “Cheatin’ Songs,” and “Mr. Lonely,” while the band’s harmonies and tight musicianship reminded everyone why they’ve become one of country’s leading acts.

Whether the band was strutting down the catwalk or performing classic covers like Garth Brooks' "Much Too Young (to Feel this Damn Old)" and Brooks and Dunn's "Boot Scoot Boogie", they had the whole crowd on their feet from start to finish. They even brought out up-and-comer Mackenzie Carpenter to perform "I Wish You Would", causing the whole parking lot party to go absolutely wild. Midland’s set wasn’t just a concert—it was a victory lap for a band proudly waving the Lone Star flag in the mainstream country scene.

The final day of Lone Star Smokeout captured everything Texans (and country fans everywhere) love: incredible live music, great food, community spirit, and a sense of pride in homegrown talent. From Midland’s nostalgic twang to DJ Pauly D’s unexpected dance party, Day 3 was an unforgettable sendoff that balanced tradition and innovation perfectly. If the success of this debut festival is any indication, Lone Star Smokeout is poised to become a permanent fixture on the Texas music calendar.

Check out our full festival gallery here!