WE Fest Drops Its First Headliner For 2026: North Dakota Reacts

WE Fest is underway at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

US 103-3 was on hand yesterday for day 1 of concerts, which featured Ashley McBryde and headliner Hardy. We sent numerous winners from North Dakota to the country music festival, and a large contingency of our fans reacted last night after they got the news on one of next year's headliners.

The crowd ERUPTED when the big screens at WE Fest showed none other than Lainey Wilson!

We are no strangers to Lainey Wilson in North Dakota. 

Lainey Wilson performed at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot about a year ago, in 2024. It was a jam-packed show as thousands of fans witnessed the new reigning queen of country music take the stage.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend about 20 minutes with her backstage before her show, and not only take numerous pictures with her, but also interview the country superstar.

Lainey Wilson was very kind and sweet with our crew as she answered questions, took selfies, and even recorded a video or two.

She told me about her humble beginnings, how she moved to Nashville, and lived in a trailer in a friend's yard for a couple of years just trying to make it in "Crazy Town".

No doubt about it, Lainey Wilson has paid her dues, and now she's reaping the benefits. She even has her own bar in Nashville, "Bell Bottoms Up".

Just one of the bars we got to celebrate my son's 21st birthday at this past June.

We are excited for night number two of WE Fest, which will feature another red-hot female act, Megan Moroney, and headliner Jon Pardi. Will WE Fest drop another headliner tonight?  We will be sure to let you know.