Introduction
Ella Langley brought her signature blend of country grit and rock-infused power to the CMA Fest stage this year, delivering an unforgettable performance of her fan-favorite anthem, “Weren’t For The Wind.” While the lyrics might speak of wandering, Langley was undeniably a force rooted in the spotlight, captivating the Nissan Stadium crowd.
The 26-year-old Alabama native commanded the festival’s grandest stage, unleashing a potent rendition of her breakout hit. Dressed in a striking black leopard print dress and boots built for any terrain, Langley’s magnetic presence was undeniable. The roar of the audience matched her powerful vocals as she belted out her “windblown anthem,” showcasing the bold resilience that has fueled her rapid ascent. With her energetic band backing her, she delivered lines like, “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,” her voice a powerful current cutting through the Tennessee night.
Langley, whose “Still Hungover (Deluxe)” album dropped earlier this year, reflected on the surreal nature of the moment. “This being my first song to go number one, it’s crazy,” she shared in a backstage interview. “You move to Nashville and everyone talks about getting a number one. You don’t really get how hard it is — until you live it.”
Her CMA Fest appearance is just the latest in a series of milestones for Langley. “Weren’t For The Wind” soared to the top of country radio charts earlier this year, marking her first No. 1 single and solidifying her status as a rising queen of the outlaw-pop sound. Her journey, however, hasn’t been without its challenges. Langley has been open about her early days, honing her craft in Alabama dive bars, often as the sole woman on the bill, fighting to be heard. “I was living with two other artists who were getting gigs over me,” she told Billboard. “I was like, ‘My band’s just as good. Give me a chance.’” Clearly, that relentless work ethic has paid off.
Since those early days, Langley has consistently delivered hit after hit, toured with Riley Green, and is set to join Morgan Wallen on tour. She also notably secured five wins at the 2025 ACM Awards, including Music Event of the Year for her sizzling duet “you look like you love me.”
Her voice, described as a blend of stormy blues and Southern rebellion, coupled with her fearless lyricism, has drawn comparisons to legends like Linda Ronstadt and Jessi Colter. And her style? It’s pure country-rock star. “Jessi Colter didn’t put up with s–t, and I don’t either,” she stated, embodying that same fierce independence.
The Nissan Stadium performance was more than just a triumph for Langley; it was a moment of deep appreciation. “This is my fourth year doing CMA Fest, but my first time on the stadium stage,” she noted. “It’s hot out here, the fans are sweating, standing in line — and to be the one closing out the night for some of them? That’s just so cool. So special.” Sharing the lineup with country heavyweights like Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, and Blake Shelton, Langley proved she belongs right among the genre’s elite.
With her “Still Hungover Tour” extended through the fall and a new album in the works, Langley shows no signs of slowing down. Fans can look forward to her newest single, “Never Met Anyone Like You,” set to release on Friday, June 27th. The highly anticipated track was co-written with HARDY and Jordan Schmidt. She also teased upcoming collaborations and a record that she says is “the most me I’ve ever felt on a record.”
“There’s no rulebook,” she asserted. “I’m just out here making music that means something.”
In a genre constantly evolving between tradition and rebellion, Ella Langley is the disruptive force, and we’re ready for every gust of wind she brings.