Kenny Chesney Preps For Sun Goes Down Tour Kickoff In Tampa: ‘This Is Where It All Starts To Really Feel Real’

With just over two weeks until the start of his massive Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour, Kenny Chesney is in rehearsal mode preparing for opening night in Tampa, Florida. 

Chesney Says Things Are Starting To “Feel Real”

Lighting cues have been tested, the video has been edited, the band has rehearsed the show, and Chesney says, “This is where it all starts to really feel real.”  

“We’ve got the stage and the T taped off. We have room to really play off each other and jam while we’re dialing the songs back in. But even more, all the teams are together, and we’re catching up after so many months off! When you’ve got a road family like I do, it’s a rush just being together,” he explains. 

Set List Will Include New Songs, Old Songs, And Some Surprises

Promising fan favorites, a few surprises, and new songs along the way, the eight-time Entertainer of the Year is more than ready for the April 20 tour launch, and it appears fans are just as excited. According to a recent release, opening night in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium is already sold out, and Chesney is already working to add more seats to allow additional room for those hoping to attend the show. 

More Tickets To Be Added

“With Tampa a few weeks away, all I could think was: how do we get more people in Raymond James? To me, the whole point of kicking it off is to have absolutely everybody who wants to be there with us, singing the songs and having the time of their life in the stadium. It’s been a couple years, let’s let everyone in on that first night, new tour stadium energy,” he says. 

So, he called his promoter to see what kind of magic they could work with the seating chart. 

“They’ve never let me down. It’s one of those things where we want to make sure everyone can have a great experience, not just throw tickets up,” he continues. “Having done Tampa so many times, if there’s anyone who can figure out how to make it work, it’s the team who has helped us build it. Hopefully, before the weekend’s over, we’ll have some seats coming online… So if you wanted to be in Tampa, know I want you there, too – and we’re working on it.”

Additional Sold-Out Shows On The Horizon

Apart from the Tampa concert, upcoming performances at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field and three shows at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium have also sold out. As excitement among his loyal fanbase, No Shoes Nation, continues to build, the superstar and his band are equally as ready.   

“I know how hungry I am, and the band is, to get out there and hear No Shoes Nation in full, no holds barred voice,” Chesney admits. “And that starts not long after they open the parking lots up, and the sounds of all that tailgating starts wafting into our bus compounds. Sometimes I think they love these shows as much as we do. But knowing how much we love playing these songs to No Shoes Nation, it’s hard to imagine how that’s possible.”

Hot on the heels of the release of his new album, BORN, Chesney will kick things into high gear beginning April 20. This upcoming trek features Uncle Kracker, Megan Moroney, and Zac Brown Band on the stadium dates, and promises to be one of this summer’s hottest tickets.