Kenny Chesney Delivers Hits, Brings Joy to Nashville’s Nissan Stadium

Kenny Chesney brought unflagging energy and enthusiasm as he headlined a two-hour set at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on the first Saturday night of August 2024. The massive crowd of 57,523 fans, part of his “Sun Goes Down” tour, was energized from the opening notes to the final encore. The night also featured opening performances by Uncle Kracker, Megan Moroney, and the Zac Brown Band.

Despite media restrictions on photographing the event, the energy and emotion of Chesney’s performance were palpable. Throughout the show, Chesney showcased both his artistry and his physical stamina. After ten high-energy songs, he took a brief moment to connect with his fans, but soon returned to delivering hit after hit.

Chesney strategically positioned songs like “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” in his set to preserve his vocal strength for later numbers. His voice’s durability was evident in tracks like “Never Wanted Nothing More” and “There Goes My Life.”

Opening acts Uncle Kracker, Megan Moroney, and the Zac Brown Band warmed up the crowd with a blend of arena rock, classic country, and Caribbean-inspired rhythms. As Chesney took the stage with “Living in Fast Forward,” he served a musical experience as satisfying as a hearty stew, blending various sounds and styles into one cohesive performance.

Chesney’s “No Shoes Nation” fan base deeply appreciates the diverse musical elements brought by each opener. Fans recognize the consistency of Chesney’s chart-topping hits, which have been a staple on country radio for over two decades. The crowd, many of whom are longtime fans, relished the nostalgic and carefree vibes of his songs, which have soundtracked numerous milestones in their lives.

Megan Moroney, the 2023 Academy of Country New Female Artist of the Year, stood out as a future superstar. By summer’s end, she will have played three weekly shows, half of which are as Chesney’s opener. Such exposure has allowed her to grow immensely as an artist, following in the footsteps of other country stars who have toured with Chesney early in their careers.

Moroney’s streaming-first catalog delivers empowering messages through heartwarming and catchy tunes. Live, she dives into ’90s-style country rock, especially notable in songs from her latest album like “Am I Okay” and “Man On The Moon.” Her renditions of these tracks, along with covers like Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69,” show her growth and versatility as a performer.

In a standout moment, Zac Brown Band showed their versatility by inviting bluegrass performer Will Jones and emerging rock star Marcus King to join them onstage. King’s electrifying performance of Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4” took the audience back to the classic rock era and showcased his exceptional talent.

Other notable guest performances included Irish vocalist Dermot Kennedy’s cover of The Eagles’ “Take It To The Limit,” further elevating the star power of the night. Each guest added a unique element to Chesney’s set, highlighting the reciprocal respect and camaraderie among musicians.

During Chesney’s set, Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, Uncle Kracker, and Megan Moroney each appeared, underscoring Chesney’s influence and generosity as a seasoned performer. Tursi’s presence was particularly poignant as he co-wrote Chesney’s 2014 hit “Save It For A Rainy Day.” Uncle Kracker’s performance of Dobie Gray’s classic “Drift Away,” which set a record for the longest-reigning No. 1 single on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, inspired one of the night’s most interactive moments with the audience.

Moroney’s joint performance of “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” was a full-circle moment, highlighting the generational bridge Chesney’s music continues to build. Their shared joy was contagious, resonating deeply with the nearly 60,000 fans gathered to celebrate a night of timeless country hits.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kenny Chesney plays catalog of hits, showcases tireless joy at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium

Source: Nashville Tennessean, Particle News