No one can deny that Kenny Chesney is one of the hardest working country singers around. He appeared to be working even harder Sunday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA (Home to the New England Patriots). Of course, only Chesney could play to a crowd of some 56,000 screaming fans who had been sitting under a clear blue sky, in scorching 100 degree heat for more then 5 hours and still get them up on their chairs and screaming (at least those that didn’t pass out from dehydration).
Many fans entered the stadium parking lot by noon. Setting up canvas awnings, wading pools and lots of ice water and cold drinks, the party started long before anyone could go to their seats in the stadium. In the spirit of the islands and because of the intense heat of the asphalt, there were many “no shirts” and lots of bathing suits and you could hear every song Chesney ever recorded while you strolled the parking lot.
Because of the well-known opening acts, fans began taking their seats as soon as the doors opened at 3. Chesney’s tours always appear seamless and on time (this is the second time he’s sold out Gillette). Starting with a short set by Carrie Underwood and then Dierks Bentley, Big and Rich and Gretchen Wilson came on. There was only about 15 minutes between acts – just enough to jog over for another bottle of water and get back in the sun.
Bentley’s set included songs from his second album including the crowd favorite, “Come A Little Closer” and, given the temperature, “Domestic Light and Cold” had everyone holding up beer bottles in a generous salute. He continued with other crowd favorites like “Modern Day Drifter” and “Settle for a Slow Down,” and included his new release “Every Mile a Memory.” It was about a 40 minute set and was lively and fun – which was carried on in the Big and Rich set, but went missing when Gretchen Wilson came out.
Big and Rich included pyrotechnics and Cowboy Troy and marched around in the hot sun whipping up the crowd with favorites like “Ride a Cowboy” and “Comin to Your City.” But Wilson, on next, seemed flat and tired. She ran through her songs quickly and with barely any comments to the audience. It appeared she was more zapped by the heat than the audience. She did rally at the end for a lively version of “Red-Neck Woman.”
With the usual Chesney drama, the lights in the stadium went off and a large Road and Radio banner that was draped across the stage fell as the band began to play and the roar of the crowd began. But as everyone eyed the stage – no star? Suddenly from somewhere around the 30 yard line a small stage lit up and there’s Kenny Chesney rising up in the middle of a sea of people singing, appropriately, “Summertime.” This is one man who knows how to make an entrance.
With a powerful group of security guards nested around him, Chesney then ran about 50 yards to the main stage (the audience seemed so surprised, no one lunged at him). Making full use of two side run ways and a T-shaped stage that jutted into the audience, Chesney ran, skipped and danced his way through the next 2 hours. Mixing some old favorites like “Back Where I Come From,” and “Don’t Happen Twice,” the majority of the songs came from his newer CDs – “Keg in the Closet,””Anything But Mine,”There Goes My Life” and Uncle Kracker made an appearance to help out on “When the Sun Goes Down.” He sang many of the songs from the “Road and the Radio, “ but the real crowd favorite was “She’s From Boston.” Chesney claimed it was the first time he had played the song on stage and he seemed touched that the crowd was singing along, especially since this song has never been released on the radio.
Ending with the usual “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” – Chesney left them wanting more (there was no encore because of stadium closing rules) – but we will have to wait until next year. Given New England’s humid, dog-day summer, maybe he’ll consider a nice indoor arena with air-conditioning next year like the TD Bank North Building – please?
Reprinted from CountryInterviewsOnline.net