Keith Urban will take the stage at a star-studded beach bash ahead of the 61st ACM Awards, the Academy of Country Music announced on Wednesday (April 15).

Urban, who received the ACM Triple Crown Award last year, is headlining the ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash, slated for Saturday, May 16 at Mandalay Bay Beach in Las Vegas, Nevada. The lineup also includes Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and Opry NextStage Live Class of 2026 members Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts and Hudson Westbrook. Tickets are available for VIP and general admission.

The Academy of Country Music also unveiled a list of performers for the Whiskey Jam Welcome Party, set for Thursday, May 14 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Las Vegas. The free show will feature Avery Anna, The Band Perry, Jenna Paulette and Caroline Jones, plus additional performers announced at a later date, per a press release issued Wednesday.

Additionally, Riley Green will headline ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends on Friday, May 15. The lineup also includes Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser and Rodney Atkins.

The Academy of Country Music recently announced nominees for the 61st annual show, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. Lambert, Wilson, Green, Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves and Little Big Town will perform during he show, plus “many more unforgettable performances to be revealed in the coming weeks.” The 61st ACM Awards will take place at the MGM Garden Arena.

The 61st ACM Awards will kick off at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 17. See the list of nominees here.

Bo Dalton