May 1, 2024
·Kristen Humphries
At SeatGeek, we've been keeping a close eye on the evolving landscape of live events and music preferences. Our recent report delves into the fascinating intersection of Beyoncé's latest album and Gen Z's growing interest in country music. We surveyed 3,300 music fans to discover this summer’s most anticipated country tours, fans’ favorite country artists, and how Beyoncé’s new music has influenced a new generation of country fans. Here’s what we learned:
Beyoncé's Influence: From Pop Queen to Country Catalyst
In the ever-evolving landscape of music, there are few artists as influential and genre-defying as Beyoncé. From her powerhouse performances to her boundary-breaking albums, Queen Bey has continually pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a musician. Her recent venture into country music expanded her own repertoire and sparked a wave of curiosity among Gen Z music fans, with 19% identifying as "die-hard" country fans – the highest among all generations surveyed. This younger demographic is not only embracing country music but also driving its growth, with 12% of Gen Z fans discovering the genre within the last year.
Beyoncé's impact goes beyond just introducing new listeners to country; she's reshaping perceptions of what country music can be. By introducing her vast fanbase to the beauty and depth of country, Beyoncé proved that country can be as diverse and dynamic as any other style of music.
More than one-third of Gen Z respondents credit her for inspiring them to explore the diverse sounds of country music. Her album, Cowboy Carter, served as a springboard for this exploration, with 23% of country music fans diving into the album within days of its release.
Dream Collaborations: Beyoncé x Country Stars
The prospect of collaborations between Beyoncé and established country artists has fans buzzing with excitement. Chris Stapleton emerges as a clear favorite (20% of fans) for a potential duet, closely followed by Zach Bryan, Shania Twain, and Kacey Musgraves.
This wouldn’t be a huge stretch for Beyoncé, either. She’s collaborated with a number of artists of varying genres in the past, like Ed Sheeran, Shakira, and most recently, Miley Cyrus, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. While collaborations like these are never promised, and we don’t know the future of Beyoncé’s country career, we know she’s sparked a trend of country listeners. And this summer has the perfect menu in store.
The Summer of Country: Artists on Tour in 2024
This summer, country music is taking center stage, with over one-third of survey respondents planning to attend a country concert. Artists like Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves and Kenny Chesney are topping the charts of must-see acts.
Morgan Wallen
Wallen is one of the most popular country music artists for a reason: his blend of pop, country, and folk, with the occasional hip-hop influence, draws a large audience outside of traditional country music. This summer, you can see his One Night At A Time Tour in support of his most recent release in 2023, One Thing At A Time. Wallen is known for leaning into – and at some times, bending – the country genre in collaboration with artists like Diplo, Lil Durk, and most recently, Post Malone. Grab Morgan Wallen tickets here.
Kane Brown
Not only is Kane Brown performing at the 2024 ACM Awards, he’s touring throughout the summer on his 2024 In The Air Tour. Billboard named him the “future of Country” and Time, one of the “31 People Changing the South.” His No.1 self-titled debut spent 13 weeks at the top of the chart and helped him become the first artist in Billboard history to top all 5 Billboard Country charts simultaneously. Outside of his singles, Brown is known for his collaborations with artists like H.E.R., Swae Lee, Khalid, Lauren Alaina and more. Grab Kane Brown tickets here.
Zach Bryan
Gen Z might know Zach Bryan for dating popular influencer Brianna LaPaglia, but they’re sticking around for his music. Bryan is currently on his 2024 Quittin Time Tour that will continue throughout the summer and feature various openers, like Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, The War and Treaty and Sheryl Crow. If you’re into the more folk-country vibe, Bryan’s Quittin Time Tour is a great place to check out that style of music. Grab Zach Bryan tickets here.
Kacey Musgraves
If you liked Cowboy Carter, you should add Musgraves’ 2024 Deeper Well Tour to your list of must-sees. Over her career, Musgraves has not only bent the rules of what country music can sound like but also the expectations of female country artists. She continued what Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert (to name a few) started: a true storytelling of female rage, sadness and overwhelming joy. Grab Kacey Musgraves tickets here.
Kenny Chesney
Chesney’s ability to write a summer pop classic right next to a heartfelt country ballad shows his versatility as an artist throughout his long-standing career. His 2024 When The Sun Goes Down Tour will head across the U.S. this summer and feature other great country artists like Zac Brown Band and Megan Moroney. Chesney has always shared the stage with (at the time) up-and-coming artists to give their career a kickstart, like Kelsea Ballerini and, currently, Megan Moroney. Grab Kenny Chesney tickets here.
As we countdown to the summer concert season, it's clear that Beyoncé's influence on country music is only just beginning. Whether she's headlining her own show or collaborating with country legends, Queen Bey is proving that great music knows no bounds. So, whether you're a longtime country fan or a newcomer inspired by Beyoncé's journey, there's never been a better time to dive into the rich tapestry of country music.
Check out a summer country tour, and make sure to use our code BLOG20 to get $20 off your first eligible purchase of $100 or more!