By Renee Clark Quade
The 2025 New York State Fair kicked off with something special. On opening night, August 20, Nate Smith was the first to take the Suburban Park stage for this year’s fair, setting the tone for the 13-day run ahead.
Smith wasted no time pulling fans into his world. He came out with “Bulletproof” and kept the energy rolling through “Wish I Never Felt,” “Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend,” and fan favorite “Whiskey on You.” His mix of originals and covers struck a perfect balance. The crowd sang along to “Sleeve” and “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” and roared when he leaned into Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.”
One of the night’s most powerful moments came when Smith slowed things down to share his story. He talked about losing his home and guitar in the 2018 wildfires, how a friend sent him a replacement, and how that gift reignited his love of music. A viral song, a GoFundMe, and a second chance brought him back to Nashville. Standing in Syracuse, he reminded the crowd that second chances are real and encouraged everyone to never give up.
From there, he launched into a soaring cover of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars,” before closing with “World on Fire.” Before that last song, he told fans, “This song changed my life. We love you so much, Syracuse.”
What really sealed the night was what happened after the music stopped. Instead of heading backstage, Smith jumped into the front row to take selfies and sign autographs. He stayed until security called it, smiling and chatting with fans the entire time.
The show was a perfect mix of country grit and heartfelt connection. On a night that marked both the start of the fair and the start of Suburban Park’s 2025 lineup, Nate Smith proved why his star keeps rising.
Nate Smith – Suburban Park, NYS Fair – August 20, 2025
Setlist:
World on Fire
Bulletproof
Wish I Never Felt
Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend
Whiskey on You
Sleeve
Fix What You Didn’t Break
Beer Never Broke My Heart (Luke Combs cover)
She’s Country (Jason Aldean cover)
Under My Skin
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol cover)
World On Fire
Nate Smith – Photo Gallery- NYS Fair – August 20, 2025
