Rock The Country Festival

York, PA – May 30th, 2025

Photographed and Written by Caden Forrester @flicksby4ster

The Rock The Country festival in York was ready to host a massive crowd, close to 40,000 attendees over the two-day festival, with a lineup blending country and rock. On Friday night, Canadian rockers Nickelback headlined a bill that also featured country legends and rising acts like Ole 60. Earlier in the evening, Ole 60, a band self-described as “not your father’s country band” from Kentucky known for mixing classic country with rock influences, warmed up the audience with an energetic set, proving why they’re an up-and-coming name in the scene.

From the very first strum, frontman Jacob “Ty” Young and his five bandmates exuded a confident, infectious energy on stage. Ole 60 gave the crowd a performance that balanced heartfelt music and a rock edge. Tight three-part harmonies and an intuitive and electric band dynamic were on full display as songs like “Next to You” and “Nancy Avenue” struck an emotional chord. Young engaged the audience between songs with brief, easy Kentucky charm, giving the set a personal touch despite the festival setting. The group’s stage presence belied their newcomer status – one concertgoer marveled that although Ole 60 has only been playing together about a year, “they sound like they’ve been jamming for years” and there’s “a whole lot of talent on stage” beyond just the lead vocalist. Each member moved with confidence, from soulful pedal steel swells to rocking guitar solos, making it clear the band was determined to leave a mark.

Ole 60 quickly won over the York crowd. Their upbeat, high-energy performance injected early evening excitement into the festival and set the tone for the night’s headliners. Many in the audience were hearing Ole 60 for the first time, yet by the end of the set, people were clapping along and nodding to the choruses. Hometown pride also played a role; local media dubbed Ole 60 “a local favorite” at the festival, and the band’s down-to-earth vibe connected even with fans. I have seen the band live twice, across two different states. They are a show worth seeing if they’re in your area. Each show is different, yet equally personal. The excitement was high as Nickelback’s set approached, but the weather had other plans.

As the sunset came around, storm clouds rolled in, bringing heavy rain and lightning that forced festival organizers to pause the festival. Forecasts of poor weather pushed some prior performances. But the swiftness of the schedule change wasn’t fast enough to outpace the weather. What was scheduled to be a 9:30 PM show was postponed for roughly two hours as thunderstorms swept through. Officials directed fans to seek shelter for safety, and thousands of concertgoers hunkered down waiting out the downpour. Despite confusion (with some even fearing the show might be canceled), the majority of the large crowd refused to budge. Many fans simply endured the storm, determined to see the headliner take the stage. Their patience paid off as, around 10:30 PM, announcements rang out that the concert would resume.

Despite the challenges, Nickelback’s sound came through loud and clear, exciting the damp crowd. Guitarist Ryan Peake took center stage at one point, delivering a cover of Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” (with Peake handling lead vocals), a moment that had fans cheering.

From there, it was a parade of fan favorite pieces. The band ripped through rockers “Animals” and “Figured You Out,” then had the whole crowd singing along to the soaring choruses of “Photograph” and “Rockstar,” two of their biggest hits. By the time Kroeger struck the opening chords of “How You Remind Me,” the audience’s voice nearly drowned out the band, showing that the early 2000s smash still resonates with tens of thousands of people in unison. Even with rain-soaked grounds, fans were belting lyrics and rocking out as if the earlier storm had only amplified their excitement.

In the end, Nickelback turned a potentially disastrous night into a memorable concert experience. The combination of a dedicated audience and the band’s determination ensured that rock ‘n’ roll prevailed over the weather. What could have been a rainout instead became a story of perseverance: a huge crowd of wet but happy fans pouring out of the York fairgrounds, buzzing about the show they almost didn’t get to see. Rock The Country’s Friday headliner had proven that not even a thunderstorm could stop the rock.

And with earlier performances from established artists and new talents like Ole 60 adding flavor to the festival, the night in York showcased the best of both worlds – country heart and rock attitude – coming together for one wild, weather-defying party.