Ella Langley Books 5 Female Openers for Dandelion Tour as Women Stay Under 15% at Festivals
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · Jun 22
Ella Langley Books 5 Female Openers for Dandelion Tour as Women Stay Under 15% at Festivals
3 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · Jun 22
Summary
Five women — Gabriella Rose, Kaitlin Butts, Avery Anna, Laci Kaye Booth and Madeline Edwards — are opening Ella Langley’s Dandelion tour dates as she resumes the run this weekend.
Langley is using the slots to back female artists beyond radio mainstays, arguing tour exposure can help offset a country format where women still get airplay roughly once an hour at best.
The tour, which began in May and ends in Texas in August, includes male artists Dylan Marlowe and Kameron Marlowe only on select dates.
Festival lineups underscore the gap: Book More Women data shows Tortuga at 12.7% women this summer, with Under the Big Sky, Railbird, Tailgates n’ Tallboys and Stagecoach all below 15%.
The move extends a women-supporting touring model associated with Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris, even as Langley’s own breakout run has delivered seven ACM awards and multiple chart records.
As Langley rewrites the rules, what does it now take for a woman to break through in country music?
Can one superstar's tour dismantle country music's long-standing 'boys' club'?
Is championing new artists a sustainable model or a luxury only top stars can afford?
Female Artists Make Up Less Than 15% of Country Festival Lineups: How Ella Langley’s “Dandelion” Tour Is Changing the Numbers
Overview
Ella Langley's "Dandelion" Tour, running from May to August 2026, stands out in country music by celebrating her successful sophomore album and making a bold statement for female representation. Unlike major country and Americana festivals, which often feature less than 15% women, Langley's tour highlights women as opening acts, directly addressing this imbalance. This approach not only showcases her commitment to supporting fellow female artists but also underscores the tour's importance in challenging industry norms and inspiring change. The tour's thoughtful lineup and focus on genuine solidarity make it a significant step toward greater inclusion in country music.