Kenny Chesney Hits Gillette
July 26, 2008

M. MacPherson

It goes without saying that when Kenny Chesney’s tour buses hit Gillette Stadium just outside Boston, the place rocked. Arriving with a slew of first rate, high profile performers, it was clear that the 55,000 plus fans in attendance would stomp, cheer, sing and drink it all in – literally and figuratively. 

Opening act, Gary Allen was a terrific warm up – as was the fabulous LeAnn Rimes. Her voice was smooth and powerful as she moved through many of her hit songs like “How Do I Live” and  “Nothing Better to Do.” But Rimes was really fine singing Joplin’s “Summertime”. 

Chesney chum Sammy Hagar made his first appearance as part of the troupe this year.  It was a bit hard to get into his rock set sandwiched between such fantastic country stars, but he did his best by including songs like “Three Lock Box” and “Standing on Top (of the World)” – done with a significant Southern twang. 

Keith Urban, next out, gave Chesney a run as the true star –coming out with high energy, charm and a load of hits that bought the crowd to their feet screaming.  His set included his best known hits like “Where the Blacktop Ends,” “You’re My Better Half,” “Days Go By;” as well as, softer cuts like “Stupid Boy” and “You’ll Think of Me.”  Urban was at his sexiest with “Raining on Sunday” – it seemed that few of the thousands of women in attendance minded that this 40 year old was country’s newest and happiest dad!

Chesney finally came out dressed for the neighborhood in a Red Sox T-shirt (minus the sleeves of course) and white cowboy hat (later traded for a New England Patriots cap).  His set included frat house favorites like “Key in the Closet,” “Young,” and “Beer In Mexico.”   

Having seen Chesney every year – I was used to his set including many of his tried and true old hits, but was more than pleasantly surprised this year when he covered many of the cuts from his latest album, including “Don’t Blink,” “Shiftwork,” “Wild Ride” and “Never Wanted Nothing More.” Chesney was all movement – twirling, leading, pointing and running from one end of the stage to the other. The funniest moment was when Chesney picked up a t-shirt thrown on stage that said “I Hate Peyton Manning” on the front and “Eli Sucks Too” on the back. The local football fans roared – and it did encourage several Patriots to come out on stage later in the night. 

No one can deny that Chesney works hard for his money—and he wants to make sure that everyone gets their money’s worth. But…

The tickets for the concert range up to about $124 for field seats (which are flat and it’s impossible to see the stage once you go back 15 rows or more). Still not bad given the number of top-notch performers. But then you add to that parking ($40) and food in the stadium ($5 hot dogs, $3.75 water and $6 - $7 beers). Also, the half a tank of gas it took sitting in traffic for three hours (to go 6 miles). If you tailgate – it’s awnings, tables, chairs, grills, personal bathrooms (so you don’t have to stand in line at the blue outhouses), not to mention the cost of chips, burgers, rolls, salad – and of course alcohol in huge quantities.  With many of the country music concerts supported by beer and liqueur companies – drinking seems to be the requirement for real fun.  Many arrive at 10 a.m and have 5 or 6 hours to get so drunk that they fall down just walking over to the stadium. The after concert partying continues for some and others, unfortunately, get into their cars for the ride home. 

This year two young women were killed when the driver lost control and ran into a tree on the way home from the festival. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but you can’t help wondering how many accidents occur because of the alcohol consumption—especially since there is no way to regulate underage drinking in the parking lot (too many people and too few cops). 

Maybe its time to return to smaller venues and making it about the music and not the party. Time to grow up and take responsibility.

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