“‘WAIT… DID AVERY ANNA JUST BRING FULL-ON ROCKSTAR ENERGY TO THE ACMs?’ — AND FANS WERE NOT READY FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT STAGE.” 🔴👇 Fresh off one of the biggest wins of her young career, Avery Anna stepped into the spotlight looking nothing like country music’s quiet newcomer — and everything like someone ready to completely own the moment.

Music played and the people sang when Avery Anna took the stage for her performance at the 2026 ACM Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday (May 17).

The new female artist of the year winner — who claimed the crown over Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones and Emily Ann Roberts — kicked off her rockin’ set with a cover of Cher’s 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),” which was also previously covered by Nancy Sinatra later that same year.

From there, with guitars blazing, the rising country music star went into her track “Blood Runs Thicker” off EP Forgive, Forget, which arrived earlier in the year. “Blood runs much thicker than water/ I am my father’s daughter,” she sang with power and edge during the chorus. “But you’re such a toxic talker/ So what do you do when you’re torn between the two, no?”

Dressed in a strapless black leather corset with matching pants, Avery Anna gave a rock n’ roll edge to her set not only with her choice of song and outfit, but also with her actions on stage. At one point, her blonde hair whipping around, she grabbed a pair of drumsticks and banged away on the drums as her drummer played along with her.

The 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards were hosted by first-time host Shania Twain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and aired live on Prime Video. Megan Moroney led the night in nominations, boasting an impressive nine nods.

SOURCE: BILLBOARD