The concerts from summer 2019 exceeded all expectations. Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett,  J-Cole’s music festival “Dreamville,” and many more heated up Raleigh’s summer nights.

  Students from across the county flooded the lawn of Walnut Creek Amphitheatre to watch their favorite artists take the stage. With some of the country music concerts selling out, Walnut Creek pushed its 20,000 person capacity to the limits.

 Famous rapper J-Cole’s “Dreamville Festival” took place in Dorothea Dix Park on April 6, with artists like Young Thug, Nelly, and Big Sean headlining. An estimated 40,000 people attended the large-scale music festival, crowding the 308-acre Park. 

“Epic, I’ve never been to anything like that,” Sanderson’s Head Junior Varsity Men’s Basketball coach, Tyriece Parker said. He went on to describe his experience at “Dreamville” as “amazing” saying, “From the opening act to the end, it was unbelievable. Best $500 dollars I’ve ever spent.”

As it turns out, “Dreamville” was only the beginning. Country duo Florida Georgia Line took Raleigh by storm. While attendance figures remain unknown, Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and Dan + Shay each recorded an estimated 19,500 attendees. With Snapchat and Instagram buzzing with live videos and pictures, even those unable to attend felt like they were a part of the show. 

Thomas Rhett brought a “Very Hot Summer” to the Raleigh stage on August 8. Sanderson senior Blake Prince described his experience at Thomas Rhett saying, “It was amazing.The music was great, but the crowd was even better.”

As the summer of 2019 comes to a close, students are reminiscent of their nights spent on the lawn at Walnut Creek surrounded by thousands of fellow fans. Expectations will continue to rise for the concerts of 2020, as students look for bigger crowds and louder music.