More than 56k fans break personal Philly record
Having sold out Lincoln Financial Field in March, adding tickets and selling those out, too, Kenny Chesney recognizes the longstanding passion the City of Brotherly Love has for his kind of hard-driving American music. Knowing how many people wanted tickets, he worked to put more chairs on the floor – and make space “for anyone who wants to come out, sing these songs with us and have the time of their summer.”
Hitting an unheard-of personal record of 56,292 members of No Shoes Nation at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Chesney came in hot – knowing they’d bring their “A” game. What the eight-time Entertainer of the Year wasn’t counting on was being stricken with a bronchial infection that landed fast and dug in.
“Some cities you just look forward to, and Philadelphia is always one of them,” Chesney said after the 90+ minute show. “When I felt it settling in my chest, I refused to even consider the possibility of not doing this show. From the moment it sold out and we added a few thousand more tickets, I could feel the love and excitement – and I wasn’t going to let people down.”
Not only did he not let people down, but the people raised their voices with his to bolster the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar when he stepped away from the mic in a coughing spasm. Tea was drunk, sweat poured off the high-energy performer, but mostly love was exchanged and songs shared with verve and enthusiasm.
“There were a couple of times where I wasn’t sure, and then I’d hear No Shoes Nation come rolling at the stage with everything they had, and I couldn’t help but smile. Their wanting to sing along really lifted me up and kept me going. And when I couldn’t they did, and it was absolutely the greatest feeling in the world. With fans like that, I’ll always bring everything we’ve got.”
In addition to adding “Guitars and Tiki Bars” to the show, “Setting the World on Fire,” his nightly duet with Austin-based bass player Harmoni Kelley, had a particular spark. Uncle Kracker returned to the stage for their five-week No. 1 duet “When the Sun Goes Down” and Kracker’s record-shattering 28-week AC No. 1 “Drift Away” delighted fans. With the audience in fine voice, it was a love fest and singalong.
“No Shoes Nation shows up early, tailgates like they mean it, and then brings all that heart into the stadium. Just their normal response to my songs is incredible, but when they could tell I was using every last ounce of energy, they pulled together and lifted me up. It was awesome.”
With a St. Louis amphitheater date this Thursday, June 13th, and Chicago’s Soldier Field on tap for next Saturday, June 15th, Chesney is going to spend the week resting up and getting ready to get back out there, playing hard and bringing the songs No Shoes Nation lives by, for and through to life. Once again, presented by Blue Chair Bay Rum, the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour brings all the high-velocity energy and songs people know by heart back to America’s favorite football stadiums.
