Could Carrie Underwood be preparing to explore a new side of her musical identity? While a full-time move from country to rock may be a stretch, the possibility of the country superstar releasing a rock-focused collection of songs has certainly sparked plenty of speculation.
The rumors gained momentum after Underwood took the stage at the Velocity Music Festival on Sept. 5. During her set, she surprised fans by performing hard-hitting rock songs from artists including Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach and Linkin Park, showing once again that her powerful vocals can handle much more than traditional country.
But that wasn’t her only recent rock moment.
Underwood also joined Guns N’ Roses onstage in Atlanta, performing two of the band’s biggest hits, “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The unexpected collaboration quickly fueled even more talk about whether Underwood could be considering a deeper dive into rock music.
Some rumors have gone even further, suggesting that Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose could be mentoring Underwood as she works on a possible rock project. However, that claim remains speculation rather than a confirmed project.
Carrie Underwood’s Longtime Love for Rock
Underwood’s connection to rock music is nothing new. Throughout her career, she has performed songs by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Mötley Crüe, the Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne and other legendary rock artists.
Of course, longtime fans may also remember one of her most memorable performances: her powerful rendition of Heart’s “Alone” during her time competing on American Idol.
Her history of crossing musical boundaries makes the idea of a rock project less surprising. Underwood has already stepped outside the country genre with projects including a gospel album and a Christmas record.
So, while there’s no official confirmation that she’s preparing to make a full transition to rock, her recent performances have certainly given fans something to talk about.
With that in mind, it’s worth looking back at some of Carrie Underwood’s best rock covers—performances that show just how naturally she can step into the genre.