Chesney brings the hits, Steelers flavor in return to Pittsburgh
A packed Heinz Field got the dose of Kenny Chesney they missed last year, as the country superstar lit up stage late into Saturday night.
Making his eighth appearance on a field he calls an honor to perform on, Chesney's “Big Revival Tour” played through hits ranging from “Beer in Mexico” to “American Kids” off his most recent platinum album.
Chesney took the stage around 9 p.m., by way of a suspended chair leading him over the crowd from midfield to the stage, to the tune of “Drink it Up.”
Dressed in a cowboy hat, boots, jeans and blue tank top, scattered rain showers couldn't slow down the energetic 47-year-old from rolling around the stage high-fiving fans through his two-hour set.
The afternoon began shortly before 5 p.m. with Old Dominion followed by performances from Chase Rice, Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church.
Gilbert brought the three-quarter filled stadium to their feet as beach balls flew, and he covered hits from Jason Aldean, including “My Kind of Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem” before wrapping up with his own “Bottoms Up.”
By the time Church took the stage at 7:20 p.m., the majority of the tailgating crowd had found their way to their seats.
Church opened up to “Springsteen,” which featured the crowd singing to every verse.
His hour-and-fifteen minute set included fan-favorites “Creepin'” and “Smoke a Little Smoke.” But he wasn't done for the night.
Chesney brought Church back out for a three-song set that featured endless guitar solos and an extended version of the “Living in the Fast Forward.”
The lit-up stage included constant visuals accompanying the music, including various shots of Pittsburgh throughout.
Chesney and his band paid homage to the Steelers throughout, thanking the Rooneys, playing with Terrible Towels and bringing out quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on two occasions.
Chesney wrapped up the show with “Out Last Night” before an encore of “My Tractor's Sexy,” where he brought a young girl on stage to give her a guitar signed by Church, Roethlisberger and himself.
By the time the stadium lights reappeared, the majority of the No Shoes Nation crowd had begun dispersing to the riverwalk, many without their shoes, shirts or problems.
Alex Felser is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-388-5810 or afelser@tribweb.com.
