Heading into Bailey Zimmerman’s Different Night Same Rodeo tour stop in Ottawa, I’ll admit my expectations were tempered. With the current wave of bro/pop-country dominating the airwaves, I figured this might be another night that leaned heavily in that direction. Instead, what unfolded was a genuinely surprising—and thoroughly entertaining—showcase of talent from top to bottom.
Strong Starts: Blake Whiten & Hudson Westbrook
Kicking things off was Blake Whiten, who wasted no time setting the tone. Even with a shorter opening set, Whiten delivered a performance that felt rooted in the kind of country storytelling that hooked many fans in the ‘90s. There was a grit and sincerity to his sound that stood out immediately.
Partial setlist included:
- Bet on That
- Barely Gettin’ By
- Mess You Made of Me
- Yellow (Coldplay cover)
- Rollin’ Stone
His rendition of Coldplay’s Yellow was an unexpected but welcome twist, showing both versatility and confidence. If this set was any indication, Blake Whiten is a name worth remembering.
Hudson Westbrook followed with a longer, hour-long set—and continued the night’s trend of pleasantly defying expectations. Much like Whiten, Westbrook’s sound leaned more toward traditional country roots than modern radio polish, echoing the era that made many of us fans in the first place.
Partial setlist included:
- LMWYL
- Take Your Time
- Dressed Down
- Painted You Pretty
- Funny Seeing You Here
- You Belong With Me
- Sober
- 5 to 9
- House Again
Westbrook’s easy connection with the crowd and confident stage presence made his set feel anything but that of an opener. Like Whiten, it felt like we were only getting a preview of what he’s capable of—and it’s safe to say this won’t be the last we hear from either artist.
Bailey Zimmerman: More Rock Show Than Country Show
Then came Bailey Zimmerman—and the energy in the venue shifted instantly.
Before he even hit the stage, on-screen warnings alerted the crowd to “loud concussive pyrotechnic effects.” That wasn’t an exaggeration. Zimmerman’s entrance felt more like the opening of a rock arena show than a country concert, with explosive pyro used heavily right out of the gate—arguably more in the first song than some artists use all night.
Going into the show, I wasn’t overly familiar with Zimmerman’s catalog. In fact, my own listening habits have drifted back toward rock and classic rock in recent years (thanks in part to the over-saturation of bro/pop-country). Still, with so many people raving about Zimmerman—especially his live performances—it felt worth checking out.
That hype? Completely justified.
For just over 90 minutes, Zimmerman had my full attention. His performance wasn’t just about the spectacle (though there was plenty of that). It was about connection. Whether commanding the main stage or stepping onto the smaller platform for more intimate moments, he struck a balance between high-energy production and genuine audience engagement.
Standout moments included the stripped-down small-stage performances of Holding On (featuring Blake Whiten) and a heartfelt cover of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb, before transitioning back into a high-octane finish.
Bailey Zimmerman’s setlist:
- Backup Plan
- Never Comin’ Home
- Change
- You Don’t Want That Smoke
- Fall In Love
- Comin’ in Cold
- Get to Gettin’ Gone
- Fix’n To Break
- Chevy Silverado
- Holy Smokes
- Lost
- Holding On (with Blake Whiten – small stage)
- The Climb (Miley Cyrus cover – small stage)
- All The Way (BigXthaPlug cover – starts small stage, ends main stage)
- New to Country (with Hudson Westbrook)
- Religiously
- Where It Ends
- Rock and a Hard Place
By the time he closed with Rock and a Hard Place, it was clear why Zimmerman’s reputation as a must-see live act continues to grow.
More Than Just the Music
Just days after the show, Zimmerman found himself in some controversy south of the border. While the situation could have gone a number of ways, he chose to take accountability—owning the mistake and covering the damages.
In an era where accountability can feel rare, that matters. For younger fans especially, it’s a reminder that mistakes happen—but how you respond is what defines you.
Final Thoughts
What I expected to be a fairly standard night of bro-country turned into something far more compelling. With two standout openers delivering a welcome throwback sound and a headliner who blends rock-show intensity with authentic connection, this Ottawa stop proved that country music still has plenty of range—and a few surprises left.
Bailey Zimmerman’s Canadian run isn’t over yet, with Western dates kicking off in Winnipeg this Friday before wrapping up at Calgary’s GMC Stadium on July 8 as part of the Calgary Stampede.
For full tour dates, visit: https://www.baileyzimmermanmusic.com/
If the Ottawa show was any indication, don’t miss it.
