Country Thunder Arizona 2026 began at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence on April 9, with Gavin Adcock, Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, Brooks and Dunn all performing. The event was also attended by Collin Raye and Billy Dean, who shared a nostalgic throwback to the '90s with hits like "My Kind of Girl" and "Little Red Rodeo." The porta potties at Country Thunder were generally clean and comfortable, compared to many other music festivals. The opening act was Waylon Wyatt, who performed well despite his appearance as a 14-year-old singer. Despite a head cold, the overall performance was well-received.