iHeartCountry Festival 2026: Backstage Photos From Austin’s Moody Center

iHeartCountry Festival returned to Austin’s Moody Center on May 2, 2026. The one-day event featured headline sets from Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Parker McCollum and a broader country lineup that included Riley Green, Carly Pearce, Shaboozey, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson and Gretchen Wilson.

Onstage highlights

Shaboozey pushed the crowd to its feet with the set highlight A Bar Song (Tipsy). Riley Green closed the festival with songs including Worst Way. He also welcomed Carly Pearce onstage for Don’t Mind If I Do, after joining her earlier to perform their duet If I Don’t Leave.

Pearce’s set also included Happy Now. Luke Bryan ran through his party staples, including That’s My Kinda Night. Kane Brown kept energy high with Bury Me in Georgia and Famous Friends. Gretchen Wilson showcased new and classic material, performing Here For The Party and the new song Redneck Shit.

Daytime Village and broadcast

The festival’s Daytime Village offered additional performances from Lauren Alaina, George Birge, Chase Matthew, RaeLynn and Josh Ross. iHeartRadio personality Bobby Bones returned to host the event.

The festival was broadcast on iHeartCountry stations nationwide and streamed on the iHeartRadio app. Disney+ and Hulu also livestreamed performances from the event.

Partners and coverage

Partners for the 2026 festival included Capital One, America250, Bobcat, booking.com, Electric For All, She Rises Studios and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Below is Billboard’s collection of behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival.

Riley Green

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Riley Green at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Parker McCollum

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Parker McCollum at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Lauren Alaina and RaeLynn

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Lauren Alaina and RaeLynn at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Luke Bryan

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Luke Bryan at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Russell Dickerson

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Russell Dickerson at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Kane Brown

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Kane Brown at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Gretchen Wilson

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Gretchen Wilson at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

George Birge

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

George Birge at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Carly Pearce

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Carly Pearce at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Chase Matthew

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Chase Matthew at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

Bobby Bones

Image Credit: Izzy Nuzzo

Bobby Bones at the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival held at Moody Center on May 02, 2026 in Austin, Texas.