DYERSVILLE, Iowa — Carrie Underwood brought more than country hits to the Field of Dreams site Saturday night, delivering a surprise rock-heavy set that had Iowa festivalgoers on their feet.
The 43-year-old country superstar headlined the Velocity Festival in Dyersville on Sept. 5, mixing her own chart-toppers with unexpected covers from Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Papa Roach and Collective Soul.
What did Carrie Underwood perform at Velocity Festival?
Underwood's setlist included her country staples like Before He Cheats and Jesus, Take the Wheel, but the crowd's energy peaked when she launched into nu-metal favorites:
- Break Stuff — Limp Bizkit's 1999 hit
- One Step Closer — Linkin Park's 2000 debut single
- Scars — Papa Roach's 2010 single
- Shine — Collective Soul's 1993 release
- Sweet Child o' Mine — Guns N' Roses classic
Fan video shared to social media shows Underwood fully embracing her rock side, jumping around the stage during Break Stuff while skipping some of the song's more explicit lyrics. She wore a backward red baseball cap in honor of Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst and headbanged through Linkin Park's One Step Closer.
Underwood calls Iowa crowd 'crazy' after performance
Underwood took to Instagram after the show, writing: Had the BEST time last night in Dyersville, IA at the @velocitymusicfest !!! Everything about it was 🔥🔥🔥!!! Thanks to all who came out to party! Y'all were crazy!
In an earlier post, she revealed she had flown into Iowa early specifically to catch Shinedown's headlining set, saying she felt inspired to try some new stuff in our set tomorrow.
A country star with deep rock roots
Underwood's rock credentials are well established. She has performed with Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe over the years. Axl Rose made a surprise appearance at her Stagecoach set in 2022, and she later joined the band on stage multiple times.
In May, she teamed up with Mötley Crüe for Home Sweet Home and Kickstart My Heart on American Idol. She also shared the stage with Papa Roach in 2025 during their Las Vegas tour stop to perform their collaboration Leave a Light on (Talk Away the Dark).
The American Idol judge has said she grew up listening to everything and hasn't ruled out releasing a rock album someday.
I do have an affinity for rock music and metal, and I just love the energy more than anything. I love going to rock concerts because it feels like freedom to me, she told Audacy in 2023. You never really know with me. I never say never about anything.
Velocity Festival brings big names to eastern Iowa
The Velocity Festival, held at the iconic Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, also featured headliners Shinedown and Creed. The event brought thousands of music fans to the small eastern Iowa community, showcasing the region's growing appeal as a destination for major entertainment events.
Underwood's performance highlighted the festival's diverse lineup and demonstrated that Iowa audiences are eager for rock and country crossover acts alike.