Lainey Wilson crushes NYS Fair record for largest crowd with 53,200 (concert review)

A year ago, Lainey Wilson was the opening act for country superstar Morgan Wallen.

Now she holds the record for the largest crowd in New York State Fair concert history, drawing an estimated 53,200 fans to Suburban Park on Wednesday night. That crushes the previous record of 43,000, set last year by rapper Nelly, by more than 10,000 people.

“This is absolutely insane,” Wilson said as she looked at the audience, which snaked around the pond between the edge of the Midway and Suburban Park.

Wilson, wearing red bell bottoms and her signature hat, led the crowd through her catalog of hits, including “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Things a Man Oughta Know” and “Heart Like a Truck.” She also performed her twangy cover of 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up (What’s Going On).”

Most of the crowd knew every word. Many wore similar “Bell Bottom Country” outfits, celebrating her combination of retro country with modern flair.

Wilson’s career trajectory is astonishing, quickly becoming country music’s “it girl” after being named ACM New Female of the Year and CMT’s “Breakout Artist of the Year” in 2022, as well as Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021.”

But anyone who saw her open for Wallen and Hardy at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview shouldn’t be surprised. She is a flawless, energetic performer with a voice that soars to the back of the crowd and maintains a mission to make sure everyone’s having a good time. Even when there’s more than 50,000 people, she still takes the time to thank fans holding signs like “My name is Lainey (too) I’m your biggest little fan” and “Can your blue hat be my something blue (for our wedding)?”

Wilson also recognizes her place as a role model for young girls, and appreciates the opportunity to spread a positive message.

“It is important to look at yourself in the mirror every single day and say ‘I am beautiful, I am smart, I am talented...’” she said to “all the little girls in hats and bell bottoms.”

Wilson, backed by a four-piece band, sounded best when she was running around on stage and singing boot-stomp anthems like “Road Runner.” A few acoustic numbers didn’t fill the air as strongly, but she added a nice touch to “Watermelon Moonshine” with a brief a cappella rendition of Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine.”

The Louisiana native is also known for her appearance on Kevin Costner’s “Yellowstone” (as Abby) and collaborations with artists like Hardy, Cole Swindell (”Never Say Never”), Jelly Roll, Lauren Alaina and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real.

But she’s not an opening act anymore. She’s a star.

Lainey Wilson concert setlist

Aug. 23, 2023 at New York State Fair, Syracuse, N.Y.

Hold My Halo

Hillbilly Hippie

Road Runner

WWDD

Smell Like Smoke

Watermelon Moonshine (with brief a cappella cover of Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter)

Wildflowers and Wild Horses

Weak‐End

Grease

Rolling Stone

What’s Up? (4 Non Blondes cover)

Wait in the Truck / Heart Like a Truck

Those Boots (Deddy’s Song)

Never Say Never

Things a Man Oughta Know