Carrie Underwood is turning up the volume on her rock credentials, and her latest appearance with Guns N’ Roses is giving fans another reason to wonder where her music could be headed next.
Underwood joined the legendary rock band onstage at Truist Park in Atlanta, teaming with Axl Rose and company for performances of “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
It was hardly unfamiliar territory for the country superstar. Underwood has a history with Guns N’ Roses, including opening dates for the band in 2023, and her enthusiasm for hard rock has been well established through both her performances and musical influences.
What makes the latest reunion particularly interesting is the timing.
Underwood has recently been leaning further into rock during her live appearances. At the Velocity Festival in Dyersville, Iowa, earlier in September, she incorporated songs associated with acts including Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Collective Soul and Linkin Park into her performance.
That run of heavier material has fueled questions about whether her next recording project could represent a substantial departure from the country sound that made her a star.
Reports have also linked Rose to Underwood’s possible next musical chapter, with claims that the Guns N’ Roses frontman has been offering advice as she explores rock music.
There is one important catch: Underwood has not announced a rock album.
Until she does, talk of a full-scale genre shift remains speculation rather than a confirmed career move. Her recent performances, however, make one thing considerably easier to establish. Rock music is occupying a prominent place in her live repertoire.
Underwood’s last studio album was “Denim & Rhinestones,” released in 2022. Any new full-length project would therefore arrive after a sizable gap between studio albums.
Whether that eventual project features country, rock or a combination of both remains unanswered. In Atlanta, though, Underwood once again demonstrated that standing beside Guns N’ Roses does not look much like a novelty anymore.
She looks increasingly at home there.
