đ¨đ¤ THE MOMENT THAT STOLE CMA FEST! Keith Urban’s Surprise Guest Left Nissan Stadium Erupting Just when fans thought Keith Urban’s set couldn’t get any bigger, he brought out a surprise no one saw coming. As the lights shifted and the first notes rang out, legendary singer Michael McDonald walked onto the stageâsending the entire stadium into a frenzy. â¤ď¸ Their unforgettable performance of “We Go Back” quickly became one of CMA Fest’s defining moments, blending powerful vocals, genuine chemistry, and an emotional finale that had thousands singing along. đĽ By the time the two shared a heartfelt embrace, fans knew they had witnessed one of the festival’s most memorable performances. đ Watch the moment everyone is still talking about below.
Keith Urban had a special surprise for everyone at night two of CMA Fest. During his set at Nissan Stadium, Urban got fans on their feet by welcoming out Michael McDonald to perform their duet together.
The Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers alum joined Urban on stage to sing âWe Go Back,â their recently released collaboration. The track will appear on Urbanâs forthcoming yacht rock album, Flow State, which is due out June 12.
Fans were clearly into the performance, cheering throughout the menâs entire time on stage, which ended with a sweet hug between the pair.
Before Urban took the stage, he told Lara Spencerâthe ABC personality whoâs co-hosting the upcoming CMA Fest TV special alongside Riley Greenâabout his next LP.
The project has several collaborations, including one with John Mayer, another with Little Big Town, and the track with McDonald.
âThe songs just told me who I should call,â Urban said of the collabs, further noting that, for âWe Go Back, âMichael was it for that song.â
As for why Urban shifted his focus to yacht rock, he explained, âItâs inclusive. Itâs a big exhale. It brings everybody together. We need that right now.â
âIt was not expected,â he admitted. âWe were just having fun playing music. Two songs became three, became five, and then over three or four months we ended up making a whole album. I was just as surprised as anybody.â
What to Know About Night Two at CMA Fest
McDonald wasnât the only surprise guest of the night. Opener Jo Dee Messina brought out Lauren Daigle to perform âWho Else.â Additionally, headliner Cody Johnson welcomed out Brothers Osborne to sing their collab, âFool Proof.â
Outside of special guests, the night featured performances from previously announced artists including Blake Shelton, Scott Teasley, Shaboozey, and Maggie Antone.
Additionally, The Red Clay Strays returned to Nissan Stadium for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, The Band Perry delighted the crowd with a performance of their signature song âIf I Die Young,â and one of their new track, âPsychological.â
Urban closed out his 30-minute set by performing an off-the-cuff cover of âSweet Home Alabamaâ after an audience member revealed they were from the state.
Johnson ended the nightâs performances with awe in eyes that everyone stuck around after midnight to see him take the stage. He concluded his time on stage with a performance of ââTil You Canât.â