Country Thunder Wisconsin 2025 officially kicked off last night in Twin Lakes with a high-energy set from country hitmaker Cole Swindell. The Thursday night headliner wasted no time getting the party started, running through a crowd-pleasing mix of chart-toppers, singalongs, and heartfelt ballads that set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
From the moment he stepped on stage, Swindell had the massive Twin Lakes crowd singing along to hits like “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey,” “Middle of a Memory,” and his career-defining anthem “She Had Me at Heads Carolina.” With a blend of smooth vocals and laid-back charm, Swindell effortlessly connected with the audience, many of whom had been tailgating since the early afternoon. He also paused for a few sincere moments, thanking fans for starting their weekend with him.
Despite the heat, the energy didn’t let up once throughout the set, and fans left buzzing about what’s still to come. With Hardy, Jelly Roll, and Dierks Bentley set to headline the next few nights, Cole Swindell’s kickoff was the perfect way to start one of the Midwest’s biggest country weekends of the year.
Check out some of our favorite photos from Cole Swindell’s opening night performance below (Photos by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
The Early Registration 