Dierks Bentley, Zach Top, and One Unforgettable Toronto Throwdown at Budweiser Stage
Written and Captured By | Kyle Boham
There’s nothing like a Thursday night in the city when the sun’s still shining and the weather’s just vibing. Not too hot, not too cold. I hadn’t even made it into Budweiser Stage in Toronto yet—just walking over the bridge on Lakeshore—but you could feel it. The boots, the straw hats, cold beers in hand, people cheering from across the street. It was already starting to feel like summer.
One thing about country concerts? The energy is always top tier. Everyone’s excited, everyone’s dressed to impress. Bright colors, fringe everywhere—people ready to dance before they even hit the gates.
Zach Top hit the stage first. I’d only heard a few of his songs before, but the second he stepped out, the crowd was all in. He rolled in with a full band—drums, fiddle, bass, keys, guitar, and backup vocals from Cheyenne Dalton—and from the jump, it was a party. His voice? Buttery. Smooth. Just the right amount of twang and soul. I was fighting the urge to two-step while shooting—no lie.
The turning point for me was “That’s What Cowboys Like Me Do.” That song converted me. Then he hit “I Never Lie,” and the whole crowd stood up like they knew what time it was. That track feels like the kind you’d dance to with someone mysterious in a roadside saloon, never get her name, and keep it pushing like nothing happened. You get me? Probably not.
Then came Dierks Bentley. Certified country legend. Known for bangers like “Somewhere on a Beach” and “Drunk on a Plane,” he’s been running the scene for a minute. His set was a perfect mix of high energy and heart. One of the emotional moments for me was “Say You Do”—hits deep every time. But I’ll be real: I’m here for the rowdy ones. Sun out, beer in hand—I wanna dance.
Dierks brought out The Band Loula mid-set to help him perform “Get Down on Your Knees and Pray.” Felt like church. Red lighting, glowing cross, and harmonies that stopped people mid-sip. They sang. Easily one of the standout moments.
Then the man said, “The party’s just getting started”—and he wasn’t playing. Red Solo cup in hand, he jumped into a high-energy stretch of the set. People were dancing like their lives depended on it. Bras were flying, beers being shotgunned like we were back in college. Wild.
To wrap things up, Zach Top came back out with the whole band at the front of the stage, and they just jammed. Fiddles, banjos, guitars—solos flying. Dierks called it himself: the future of country is in good hands.
As the night ended and the crowd poured out onto the Lakeshore, the vibes were still high. Voices gone, boots dusty, hearts full. Toronto showed up—and country music showed out.