Carrie Underwood Brings Rock Vibes to Velocity Festival in Iowa
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Country music sensation Carrie Underwood delighted fans at the recent Velocity Festival held in Dyersville, Iowa, on 5th September, showcasing her passion for rock music. The singer, who has previously collaborated with renowned rock bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, and Aerosmith, took the opportunity to dive into the nu-metal genre during her festival set.
Underwood, known primarily for her country hits, surprised festival-goers by including covers of iconic tracks from rock bands like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Papa Roach, and Collective Soul. While her setlist featured fan-favourites from her own repertoire, including “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” it was her foray into rock that truly electrified the audience.
One of the standout moments of the performance was her energetic rendition of Limp Bizkit’s 1999 hit “Break Stuff.” Clad in a backward red baseball cap — a nod to the band’s frontman Fred Durst — Underwood fully embraced her rockstar persona, jumping around the stage and engaging the crowd, even opting to skip over some of the song’s more explicit lyrics. This vibrant display of enthusiasm was met with cheers from the enthusiastic audience.
Underscoring her affinity for rock, Underwood also covered “One Step Closer” from Linkin Park, a song that resonated with fans of the genre since its release in 2000. Footage shared by fans on social media captured her headbanging and reveling in the moment, showcasing her genuine love for this musical style.
In a post-performance statement on Instagram, Underwood expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “Had the BEST time last night in Dyersville, IA at the @velocitymusicfest!!! Everything about it was 🔥🔥🔥!!!” She thanked the crowd for their fervent support and admitted to feeling “inspired” by the atmosphere at the festival. Earlier in the day, she had flown in to catch Shinedown’s headlining set, which undoubtedly influenced her decision to experiment with her own musical offerings.
The 43-year-old entertainer has been vocal about her longstanding affection for rock music, revealing that she grew up listening to a diverse range of genres. “I do have an affinity for rock music and metal, and I just love the energy more than anything,” she remarked in a 2023 interview. This passion was evident during her festival performance, as she appeared to relish the freedom and exuberance that rock concerts provide.
Underwood’s connection to the rock genre has extended beyond festival performances. In 2022, she made headlines when Axl Rose made a surprise appearance during her set at Stagecoach, leading to numerous collaborations with the Guns N’ Roses frontman. Additionally, she teamed up with Mötley Crüe earlier this year to perform classic tracks on American Idol.
Her history with rock continues to evolve. In 2025, she joined Papa Roach on stage during their Las Vegas tour, asserting her presence in the rock scene further. With such collaborations and performances under her belt, there has been speculation about Underwood potentially venturing into the rock album realm in the future.
As the festival concluded, there was no doubt that Underwood left her mark on the event, which also featured performances from prominent rock acts like Shinedown and Creed. Setting the stage at the iconic Field of Dreams movie site, Underwood reminded fans and critics alike that while she may be known as a country queen, her heart is equally in the rock genre.
With her latest performance, Underwood continues to challenge the boundaries of her musical identity, proving that she is not just a country artist but a versatile performer unafraid to experiment with different styles. As she hinted at new directions for her music, fans are left anticipating what could come next from this multifaceted artist.