American Idol: 12 alums perform at free CMA 19/BMG Takeover concert
The American Idol summer live tour was once an annual tradition that brought winners and finalists to arenas across the country. When the show moved off FOX and later returned on ABC in 2018, the tour tried to make a comeback, but over time it shifted to smaller venues as overall viewership changed. Today, large multi-act appearances from a single Idol season are rarer, so the 19/BMG Takeover concert at CMA Fest has become one of the best opportunities for fans to see many alumni perform together in one place.
For CMA Fest 2025, the 19/BMG Takeover will feature twelve American Idol alums on a free outdoor stage. The takeover is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 at the corner of 6th & Peabody in downtown Nashville, with performances beginning at 4:00 PM. This free concert brings together recent finalists and familiar faces from previous seasons for an afternoon of live music ahead of the full festival.
Headlining the lineup from season 23 are winner Jamal Roberts, runner-up John Foster, and third-place finisher Breanna Nix. They’ll be joined by fellow season 23 performers Thunderstorm Artis, Kolbi Jordan, Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt.
Also appearing are alumni from earlier seasons, including Colin Stough (Season 21), HunterGirl (Season 20), Will Moseley (Season 22), Wé Ani (Season 21) and Ajii (Season 22). The concert is presented by 19 Recordings in partnership with BMG, reflecting the show’s recording ties and giving Idol alumni a platform during one of the country music world’s biggest weeks.
American Idol released a short promotional video highlighting the takeover and the artists who will perform. The free format of the event makes it an accessible way for fans attending CMA Fest to catch multiple Idol performers in a casual, downtown setting before the main festival programming begins.
American Idol will hold auditions for season 24 on Saturday June 6 during CMA Fest
In addition to the Takeover, American Idol will host open auditions for season 24 on Saturday, June 6 as part of the CMA Fest festivities. Several recent and past alums are expected to appear in support of audition hopefuls, creating a high-profile audition environment in the heart of Nashville. Notable alumni slated to support the auditions include Jamal Roberts, John Foster, Breanna Nix, Thunderstorm Artis and Slater Nalley, among others. Prospective contestants can find official audition details at the show’s audition page.
CMA Fest 2025 kicks off Thursday June 5 featuring many American Idol favorites
Across the four-day CMA Fest schedule, a number of American Idol alumni are set to perform on daytime stages and major stages throughout the festival. Their appearances span from intimate outdoor showcases to prime-time slots on the Nissan Stadium mainstage, offering fans multiple chances to see Idol graduates during the weekend.
- Thursday, June 5: daytime stages will feature Josh Gracin, Iam Tongi, Kat Luna and Will Moseley. Later that night, Scotty McCreery takes the Nissan Stadium mainstage at 10:35 PM, performing ahead of headliner Jason Aldean.
- Friday, June 6: daytime programming includes performances by Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Gabby Barrett and Alex Lambert.
- Saturday, June 7: daytime stages showcase Annie Bosko, Laci Kaye Booth, Cameron Whitcomb and Colin Stough.
- Sunday, June 8: Luke Bryan headlines the Nissan Stadium mainstage to close out the festival’s final night.
CMA Fest’s lineup also features numerous alumni from other televised talent shows, such as The Voice and America’s Got Talent, making the festival a broader celebration of talent discovered through popular competitions. For fans of American Idol, the combination of the 19/BMG Takeover, audition events and multiple festival performances creates a concentrated showcase of Idol talent in Nashville—one of the best opportunities all year to see many alumni on stages across the city.