From American Idol to Center Stage: John Foster’s Next Big Moment Will Happen at the 2025 Acadian Festival. ML

PLAQUEMINE, La. — Louisiana native and American Idol runner-up John Foster is returning home in a big way. The country singer is set to headline the 57th Annual Acadian Festival on Friday night — an event he says will hold deep personal meaning.

“Not only will it be my first show on my own territory, on the west side of the Mississippi River, since my homecoming concert for Idol, it’ll be extra special to perform my first single live,” Foster told Unfiltered with Kiran (UWK).

The performance comes at an exciting time for Foster, who has just released his first new single in a year — and the first since his breakout run on American Idol.
“I haven’t had a new song since last October, so I’m thrilled to finally share something fresh,” he said. “It feels amazing to have an original track for fans to enjoy and for me to perform.”

Foster described the new single as “his first song post-Idol” — the first official release since his life changed dramatically following the competition.
“Between last October and now, my fan base has grown by hundreds of thousands,” he added. “Idol gave me a platform I never imagined, and I hope this song connects with everyone who’s been following my journey.”

The new track marks a shift in sound for the 24-year-old artist.
“I’ve never released an upbeat song before,” he explained. “It’s got that honky-tonk energy, modern enough for radio but still rooted in the traditional sound that my fans and I love. I’m a big believer in country radio, so I hope people will call in and request it.”

Calling the release “another big step” toward his long-term career goals, Foster said the single serves as both a celebration and a statement. “This is my reminder to everyone — I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Foster is scheduled to take the main stage at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. Gates open at 4 p.m., and The Lauren Lee Band will perform at 7 p.m. Tickets for Friday’s concert are $26 at the gate, with credit cards accepted. Online sales have closed.

According to the International Acadian Festival Facebook page, children one year and older require a ticket, and all attendees must pass through a security checkpoint. Chairs will be allowed only in the designated hill area beside the stage.

A concert ticket also grants access to the festival fairgrounds, while guests ages 10 and up who do not attend the concert can enter for $5.

The Acadian Festival continues all weekend at Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park, featuring community favorites such as:

• Cornhole tournament – Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
• Beauty pageant – Saturday, 1 p.m.
• Parade – Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
• All-you-can-ride bracelets: Friday (6–10 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m.–11 p.m.), Sunday (12–8 p.m.)

Festival admission is $5 per day.

For updates, download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.