Introduction:
Ella Langley Drops Out of Hoofbeat Music Festival — Joe Nichols Steps In as Replacement
Country rising star Ella Langley has officially pulled out of her scheduled performance at the Hoofbeat Music Festival in Cadott, Wisconsin, with Joe Nichols stepping in to fill her slot.
Festival organizers announced the change on Tuesday morning, describing it as a “little switcheroo” in a statement shared on social media.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ella Langley can no longer make her scheduled performance,” the message read. “But you know us—we wouldn’t leave you hangin’. A huge thank you to Joe Nichols for stepping in so last minute to keep the good times rolling. Give him a big ol’ Sconnie welcome!”
Langley was originally slated to perform on Thursday, June 26, alongside artists like Riley Green, Gretchen Wilson, Michael Ray, John Morgan, Matt Stell, and Graham Barham.
The four-day Hoofbeat Festival runs through Saturday, featuring a stacked lineup that also includes Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard, Chris Lane, Gavin Adcock, and Corey Kent.
While many fans expressed disappointment over Langley’s cancellation, others welcomed Nichols’ last-minute addition. “Of course I’d love to see Ella Langley… but I’m pretty excited for Joe Nichols,” one festivalgoer commented online. Another added, “Love Joe Nichols but was looking forward to seeing Ella Langley.”
As of now, Langley has not issued a public statement addressing her absence, sparking speculation among fans. However, her official website still lists a packed weekend of performances — including a Friday, June 27 appearance at Battery Park at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by two nights opening for Morgan Wallen on his I’m The Problem Tour at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Earlier this week, Langley teased her “stadium prep” on Instagram Stories, sharing photos from inside her rehearsal space with the caption, “Let’s get it.”
This week also marks a major milestone for the ACM New Female Artist of the Year, who is gearing up to release her highly anticipated new single, “Never Met Anyone Like You,” this Friday. The track — co-written with HARDY and Jordan Schmidt — has already generated buzz after Langley posted multiple teasers on social media.
Despite her absence from Hoofbeat, it’s clear that Ella Langley’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down.