Kacey Musgraves performed her new song “Dry Spell” during the 2026 ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17 [1].
The performance marks the debut of the lead single from her latest album, “Middle of Nowhere” [1], [2]. As a seven-time ACM Award winner [2], Musgraves used the high-profile stage to introduce a new sonic and visual direction for her current project.
The event took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada [1]. The production for the song featured specific domestic imagery to match the track's themes. Anna Chan of Billboard said Musgraves was "sitting on the washing machine" when she took the stage for the performance [1].
Observers noted the suggestive nature of the presentation. An author for MSN said the seven-time ACM Award winner "loaded up on sausage and double entendre" while performing the lead single from “Middle of Nowhere” [2]. The singer also adopted a vintage pinup aesthetic for the appearance.
Reaction to the bold staging was mixed among critics. A writer for WhiskeyRiff said, "You either get it or you don't, I guess..." [3]. Despite the varied interpretations of the performance's suggestive elements, the appearance served as the primary promotional vehicle for the new album's launch cycle.
Musgraves has established a long history with the Academy of Country Music, having previously secured seven awards [2]. This latest appearance continues her trend of blending traditional country elements with provocative, modern stagecraft, a hallmark of her career as she navigates the transition into the era of “Middle of Nowhere.”
“Kacey Musgraves was literally "sitting on the washing machine" when she took the stage”
By debuting 'Dry Spell' with provocative imagery and a vintage pinup aesthetic, Musgraves is signaling a shift toward more suggestive and conceptually theatrical songwriting. This move allows her to maintain her status as a country music staple while pushing the boundaries of the genre's traditional performance standards during a major awards broadcast.
