Introduction
Brooks & Dunn’s appearance at the 2025 iHeartCountry Music Festival delivered one of the most electrifying headline performances of the evening. Held on May 3 at Austin’s Moody Center, the festival marked its 12th annual installment—a star-studded event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and livestreamed exclusively on Hulu .
The duo’s 45-minute full set was a testament to their enduring legacy, showcasing fan favorites and chart-topping anthems that have underscored their decades-long dominance in country music. The setlist featured hits such as “Brand New Man,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Ain’t Nothin’ ’Bout You,” “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” “Play Somethin’ Country,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria,” “Boot Scoot Boogie,” and “Only in America” . These selections echoed their signature sound—rootsy, honky‑tonk energy, and emotional balladry, rooted in the genre since their 1988 formation .
Founded by Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, the duo skyrocketed to fame in the early 1990s under Arista Nashville, achieving monumental success with platinum-certified albums and nearly 20 number-one singles on the Billboard country charts . Their synergy—a fiery showman paired with a soulful vocalist—redefined the country duo format and revitalized trends like line dancing with tracks including “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”.
Their inclusion in Austin’s lineup underscored the festival’s mission: to bridge country legends and newer chart-toppers. Preceding them were rising stars like Nate Smith, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts, and headliners Thomas Rhett—making for an unforgettable evening of genre-spanning performances .
Brooks & Dunn’s performance stood as both a celebration of their timeless greatest hits and a vibrant reminder of their influence on modern country. With polished stagecraft, familiar favorites, and palpable chemistry, their set reaffirmed why they remain one of the genre’s most beloved and enduring duos.
Video
Setlist:
0:00 Intro
1:43 Brand New Man
5:52 Red Dirt Road
10:28 Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You
14:02 Rock My World (Little Country Girl)
18:37 Break Up In A Small Town
22:32 Neon Moon
29:35 My Maria
33:38 Boot Scootin’ Boogie
37:58 Only In America
iHeart Country Music Festival 2025