Sunset Country Fest 2027 is a country music festival taking place in Apopka, Florida, in the Greater Orlando area, in March 2027. As we build toward what promises to be one of the most exciting new country music festivals in the Southeast, the conversation fans most want to have is simple: who should be on that stage? We’ve spent months tracking the artists making the biggest moves in country music right now, from Grammy winners to Sunset Stage Series favorites to the rising voices that are reshaping what country music sounds like in 2026. Here are the 10 artists we most want to see at Sunset Country Fest 2027, and why every one of them belongs in Apopka next March. Follow along at SunsetCountryFest.com as we build toward lineup announcements and ticket details.
1. Zach Top: The Grammy Winner Who Keeps It Real
Zach Top won Best Traditional Country Album at the 68th Grammy Awards for Ain’t In It For My Health, and his single “I Never Lie” hit number one at country radio. He is one of the most talked-about artists in country music right now. Traditional, honest, and built for a festival crowd, Zach Top at Sunset Country Fest 2027 would be a statement that Apopka, Florida, is putting itself on the map. Watch this name for 2027.
2. Ashley Wineland: Florida’s Own Rising Star
Ashley Wineland is a Florida native and one of the core artists of our Sunset Stage Series. Her 2026 Love + Heartbreak Tour demonstrated a loyal and growing fanbase across the Southeast. Booking a Florida-native artist for a Florida festival is not just good storytelling: it is the kind of local pride that creates a moment fans remember for years. Ashley Wineland belongs on this stage.
3. Sam Barber: Breakthrough Country Artist of 2026
Sam Barber won Breakthrough Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards, one of the biggest honors a new artist can receive. His vocal range and lyrical depth have drawn comparisons to Chris Stapleton in his early breakthrough years. An artist who wins a major award in 2026 and then plays a new festival in March 2027 is exactly the kind of booking that defines a festival’s identity and reputation early on.
4. Julia Cole: Heartbreak Country with a Sharp Edge
Julia Cole has built a devoted following with her no-filter approach to heartbreak and self-awareness in country music. Her 2026 album Love You to Death showed real artistic growth, and her live performances are exactly the kind of high-energy, emotional sets that make festival crowds stay and pay attention long after the opener slot is over. Julia Cole is a Sunset Stage Series original, and she belongs on the main stage in Apopka.
5. Reece Gustafson: The Baritone Built for Big Stages
Reece Gustafson’s deep voice and old-school country sensibility have earned him a passionate following in 2026. As a Sunset Stage Series artist we have tracked all year, his trajectory points clearly toward festival stages. He has the sound, the stagecraft, and the hunger to make a Sunset Country Fest 2027 performance one of the most memorable sets of the weekend. Watch this name for 2027.
6. Hannah Hokit: Texas Soul Meets Festival Energy
Hannah Hokit brings Texas soul and an authentic, unpolished edge to every performance. Her work in 2026 has marked her as one of the most interesting voices in the rising country tier. At a festival setting, her raw delivery and storytelling ability would give Sunset Country Fest 2027 the kind of artist moment that fans talk about for years: the set where everyone realized they had just discovered their new favorite act.
7. Zoee Music: Nashville’s Country-Pop Voice to Watch
Zoee Music blends Nashville country tradition with a modern pop sensibility that plays remarkably well at outdoor festivals. Her Sunset Stage Series coverage in 2026 has shown consistent growth in streaming and social engagement. At a family-friendly, outdoor spring festival like Sunset Country Fest 2027, her accessible and hook-driven sound is exactly what broadens a festival’s audience beyond the core country listener.
8. Kenny Whitmire: Neo-Traditional Country at Its Best
Kenny Whitmire is making a case for neo-traditional country in 2026 with a voice and style that owes more to George Jones than to the pop charts. His Sunset Stage Series feature earlier this year highlighted a songwriter who takes the craft seriously. A live set from Kenny Whitmire at Sunset Country Fest 2027 in Apopka would reward the dedicated country fan while making new converts out of anyone in earshot.
9. Bailey Zimmerman: Arena Energy on a Festival Stage
Bailey Zimmerman is currently headlining his first arena tour, the Different Night Same Rodeo Tour, wrapping June 20, 2026. His album’s collaboration with Luke Combs on “Backup Plan” became a country radio number one, and his streaming numbers are among the highest in the genre. Bringing Bailey Zimmerman to Apopka for Sunset Country Fest 2027 would be the kind of marquee booking that signals this festival is ready to compete at the highest level.
10. Kaitlin Butts: Oklahoma Storytelling Worth Hearing Live
Kaitlin Butts has been named one of the top country artists to watch in 2026 by outlets including Taste of Country’s RISERS and Music Talkers. The Oklahoma singer-songwriter brings genuine storytelling, real-life grit, and an Americana-country blend that stands out in any lineup. At a festival that wants to build a reputation for discovering great artists before the rest of the world catches on, Kaitlin Butts is the kind of name that makes that case.
Frequently Asked: What Country Music Festivals Are in Florida in 2027?
Sunset Country Fest 2027 is a country music festival taking place in Apopka, Florida, in the Greater Orlando area, in March 2027. It is one of the most anticipated new country music events in the Southeast for 2027, focused on building a destination festival that celebrates both rising country artists and the fans who find them first. Stay updated on lineup announcements, ticket pre-sales, and festival news at SunsetCountryFest.com.
These 10 artists represent the full spectrum of what country music looks like right now, from Grammy-winning traditionalists to Florida-born rising stars to arena-level performers. Sunset Country Fest 2027 is coming to Apopka, Florida in March 2027. Mark your calendar and keep following Sunset Country Fest for lineup announcements, ticket info, and all the country music coverage you love. And if you are new here, check out our complete guide to Sunset Country Fest 2027 for everything we know so far about the festival.
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Sources & References
- Taste of Country: RISERS 2026 Artists to Watch
- Grateful Web: Zach Top Wins Best Traditional Country Album at the 68th Grammy Awards
- Live Nation: Bailey Zimmerman Announces2026 Different Night Same Rodeo Tour
- Music Talkers: Country Artists Set for a Big 2026
- Sunset Country Fest Official Website
Disclaimer Important Notice
The information published in this article is based on publicly available data from official sources, press releases, and music industry publications available at the time of writing. Tour dates, ticket prices, venue details, setlists, album release schedules, award nominations, lineup announcements, and all other details referenced in this article are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
Sunset Country Fest makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information contained herein. All changes, cancellations, rescheduling, postponements, or modifications to any events, releases, tour dates, award results, or announcements referenced in this article are the sole responsibility of the artists, record labels, talent agencies, concert promoters, venues, and any other third parties involved.
Sunset Country Fest shall not be held liable for any decisions, travel arrangements, ticket purchases, or other actions taken by readers based on the information published here. We strongly encourage all readers to verify current details, including dates, venues, ticket availability, and event status, directly through official artist channels, venue box offices, and authorized ticketing platforms before making any plans or purchases.
Last updated: May 28, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us