Kenny Chesney Spreads the Love with 56,000+ at MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium is typically home to the NY Jets and NY Giants, but Saturday, the venue was home to Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation for one unforgettable night of music.
New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is typically home to the NFL’s NY Jets and NY Giants, but Saturday (Aug. 20), the venue was home to Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation for one unforgettable night of music.
Taking the stage just before 9pm, Chesney entered as his longtime touring band backed him playing the quintessential summer anthem, “Beer In Mexico.” 56,292 (yes, you read that number correctly!) fans erupted with cheers as Chesney took a moment to soak in the massive crowd.
The Tennessee native was already drenched in sweat from working every inch of the stage before the second song. Keeping the momentum up, Chesney went on to sing “Reality” and “Til It’s Gone” before addressing the audience.
“You work hard, you play hard and you love hard,” he told them. “So tonight, if you don’t mind, let me, my band, and our road family….take you with us where we want to take you. Only one thing has to happen: you have to want to go with us. Do you want to go with us?”
The rhetorical question evoked quite the response from fans as if they were saying a collective “hell yes!”
“Summertime” and “Pirate Flag” were undoubtedly fan favorites, while slower numbers like “Somewhere With You” and “Anything But Mine” brought on audience sing-a-longs. The nostalgia filled “I Go Back” had fans reminiscing about their childhoods, and “Save It For A Rainy Day” (with special guests Brad Tursi and Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion) reminded everyone to leave their problems at the door.
11 songs into the 21 song set, an enthusiastic Chesney assured fans “we are just getting started.”
A highlight of the night was the goosebump-worthy “American Kids” sing-a-long, which seemed to blow everyone, including Chesney, away.
“This Spread the Love Tour ends next weekend, but I can tell you right now I’m gonna be sitting at Thanksgiving dinner and still hear the rumble of this stadium in my ears,” he said with a smile.
The superstar welcomed reigning ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert, back to the stage for a stunning rendition of “You & Tequila” and went on to sing a few more of his many hits before closing with “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and an encore of “Don’t Happen Twice.”
“Thank you for caring about the music and giving all of us a great life,” the 48-year-old expressed.
As he signed autographs and gave his final goodbyes, he took one last chance to address his No Shoes Nation saying, “Just so you know, this was probably the best night of the summer.”
Kenny Chesney is an eight-time Entertainer of the Year and has rightfully earned each and every one of those accolades (and then some!), but last night he proved he’s more than that. Kenny Chesney is truly an Entertainer of a Lifetime.
Fans attending Chesney’s Spread the Love Tour were also treated to performances by Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion.
Lambert’s set took fans through her musical catalogue with performances of everything from “Kerosene” to “Baggage Claim” to “Automatic.” The Texas native commanded the stage and fans loved every moment. It was her performance of her brand new single “Vice” that had jaws dropping though.
Sam Hunt brought the party with hits like “Leave the Night On,” “Raised On It,” and “House Party.” The talented singer/songwriter brought quite the impressive crowd during a time when many fans are still partying in the parking lot.
Fans got a taste of Old Dominion’s debut album Meat and Candy with their opening set. Songs like “Break Up with Him” and “Song for Another Time” had fans singing along.
The Spread the Love Tour wraps with a two-night run at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 26th and 27th.
