Little Big Town is out, but We Fest has found a buzzy replacement just in time for this week’s country-music campout in Detroit Lakes. Stella Lefty, the 23-year-old singer behind the viral hit “Boston,” is stepping into the lineup for the veteran vocal quartet.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that Little Big Town withdrew because of an unspecified scheduling conflict, leaving We Fest owner Matt Mithun to make a quick call. Mithun had already been discussing a future appearance with Lefty, but a gap in her schedule created an opportunity to bring the fast-rising singer to Soo Pass Ranch now.
The current WE Fest schedule places Lefty on the main stage at 6 p.m. before Thomas Rhett. The festival’s other major names include Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Nate Smith, Flatland Cavalry and Diamond Rio.
Stella Lefty Brings A Chart Hit To Detroit Lakes
Lefty arrives with considerably more momentum than the average last-minute substitute. Her single “Boston” has become a breakout country-pop success, and Billboard Canada reported that the song reached the top 10 on its Hot 100 while also charting in the United States.
The song also features a credited interpolation of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” giving its catchy, twangy take on reluctant romance a recognizable folk-pop thread. Lefty has since landed bookings at major festivals including Lollapalooza, Stagecoach and Austin City Limits, according to the Star Tribune.
That puts her in an unusual position for a festival replacement: She is new enough to feel like a discovery, but established enough to give fans a reason to adjust their plans. We Fest has billed the change as part of a strong year for women on the lineup, with Maggie Antone, Elizabeth Nichols and Noeline Hofmann also scheduled to perform.
We Fest Tickets Remain Available For The Detroit Lakes Weekend
For anyone still trying to make the festival work, WE Fest’s ticket page lists single-day general admission at $135 and three-day general admission at $238. The festival is held at Soo Pass Ranch and also features camping, reserved seating and multiple stages.
Little Big Town is still scheduled for a Minneapolis appearance at the State Theatre on Oct. 10, the Star Tribune reports, so the group’s Minnesota plans are not disappearing entirely. In Detroit Lakes, though, the weekend’s late lineup twist has handed the spotlight to a newcomer whose “Boston” has already proven it can travel.
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