This summer, country songs have made a regular showing atop the Billboard charts, with several pop artists leaning into the country space. But for Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation, the 56-year-old singer-songwriter and tireless, vigorous entertainer has been the essential element of making every summer a “country summer” for the better part of three decades.
He’s become a towering purveyor of songs that hit hard, both on the Billboard charts (with Chesney notching an enviable 33 No. 1 Country Airplay hits) and emotionally, with music that exults rowdy tracks that have fueled countless celebratory nights, alongside ballads that capture deep-seated emotions from love to loss, all a result of his relentless pursuit in writing and recording well-crafted songs that endure.
Chesney brought all that musical power to his home state of Tennessee, leading tens of thousands of fans in a rowdy party at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on Saturday (Aug. 3) night as part of his Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour. As the sun set over Nissan Stadium, the music and Chesney’s legendary party vibes heated up when he descended the steps to center stage, and then proceeded to put his joyous, high-energy, hit-filled reputation as an entertainer on full display — and his loyal, fervent No Shoes Nation was more than up to the challenge. He last played the stadium in 2022, on his Here and Now tour.
He opened with “Living in Fast Forward,” and from there prowled the stage with the energy of a prime athlete, in constant motion while staying as close to fans on the edges of the catwalk stage as possible. The East Tennessee native lent his warm, conversational vocal style to relatable small-town odes, island anthems, and arena-sized rockers, delving into songs of nostalgia and escapism. Those included songs such as “Just to Say We Did” and “Take Her Home,” from his latest album, as well as numerous hits that have worn well, like “Somewhere With You,” “Keg in the Closet,” “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” “American Kids,” “Young” (with the screens emblazoned with photos of Chesney as a child and teen) and the all-too-appropriate “Summertime.”
That August night, as summer slowly began its descent, the flow of the music offered a space for renewal through melody, stories and human connection. Joining Chesney in that mission were 14-time Country Airplay chart-toppers Zac Brown Band, ascendant country artist Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker.
Here, we look at five best moments from the evening.
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