Country Girl, Shake it for Me: The Ladies of Windy City Lake Shake
This year, Chicago is (finally!) getting its very own country music festival. Windy City Lake Shake, a three-day festival held in the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion in late June, has three of the biggest names in country music headlining: Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, and Florida Georgia Line.
Although country music is a male-dominated industry, what's refreshing about Lake Shake is that six of the current fifteen acts are female. They may not be headlining this year, but they certainly cannot be ignored.
Maddie & Tae
This young country duo has given a voice to the often objectified women in bro-country songs with "Girl in a Country Song," which is certain to be an absolute blast live for the strong women in the audience. This song is unlike anything country radio has seen before. If for some reason you haven't heard it (or seen the hilarious music video), check it out:
Cassadee Pope
Whether you know her from Hey Monday or The Voice, her album Frame by Frame is an absolute showstopper. Her high notes on the chorus of "I Wish I Could Break Your Heart" showcases her rock band background.
RaeLynn
Yet another country star from The Voice, RaeLynn is an expert at girl power country anthems. Her song "Kissin' Frogs" from her Me EP, which she released less than a month ago, celebrates being young, flirty and free. There is no weak point on her five song EP--every track is a hit, and her performance is guaranteed to be a party of empowerment.
Mickey Guyton
There's no ignoring the soul behind Mickey Guyton's voice. Her 2014 Unbreakable EP offers four gorgeous acoustic tracks, but her first single, "Better Than You Left Me" off her upcoming debut album, blows her past work out of the water. Her sound is unlike most other current country singers, so she is definitely worth a listen. Her Lake Shake performance is sure to be a lot of music from her upcoming album, so keep an eye out for its release so you can start learning the words.
Ashley Monroe
For the cynics of pop country, Ashley Monroe combines the sounds of classic country music with the bite of edgy lyrics. Monroe originally stepped into the spotlight with Pistol Annies, the trio led by Miranda Lambert that gave us the juggernaut "Hell on Heels." If you're looking for something more somber from Monroe, her ballad "Like a Rose" from her 2013 album by the same name is absolutely stunning. Looking for something a bit more wild? Check out "Weed Instead of Roses."
Clare Dunn
Dunn got her start songwriting, but she's finally got the stage to herself. She's finishing off a tour with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and then she'll be taking on the festival circuit, playing nearly every big-name country festival that the next eight months have to offer. Dunn is currently working on her first album, but until it's released, you can jam to her single, "Cowboy Side of You."
For more information on Windy City Lake Shake, visit www.lakeshakefestival.com
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