The Academy of Country Music Awards show set for May 16 is getting some additional octane in its performance lineup with the addition of two of the biggest artists of the moment from outside the country genre, Post Malone and Noah Kahan.
Malone looks set for a solo moment on the ACM Awards show, while Kahan will join female artist of the year nominee Kelsea Ballerini for a duet.
Even without a new album out, Malone has been ubiquitous lately, in pop and even country. He has appeared as a featured performer in the last three months with arguably the three biggest acts in the music business right now: Beyonce (on her country-driven album “Cowboy Carter”), Taylor Swift (on the current Hot 100 No. 1 single, “Fortnight”) and Morgan Wallen (on the just-released joint single “I Had Some Help”). He also did one of the most watched sets at Stagecoach, doing a performance of classic country covers. Although it’s only been a year since his last album, it’s believed he may have a new album on the way later this year.
Kahan’s “Stick Season” has stuck around the top of the album chart like few other releases in recent memory. It currently sits at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, in its 75th week out.
Avril Lavigne is another non-country artist who’s been freshly added to the lineup; she will duet with best new male artist nominee Nate Smith.
Also among the names just announced for the show, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will team up for their own duet.
Previously named as performers on the show are Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and host Reba McEntire.
The 59th annual ACMs will be seen exclusively on Prime Video, which will not require a subscription to tune in as the show goes out from Frisco, Texas on May 16 at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT.