When Kenny Chesney says he’s bringing surprises, you can bet he means it.
And on Thursday night (March 23) at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia, he proved it in the best way possible — with a two-hour, nearly 30-song marathon that had fans grinning, singing, and losing their voices.
It had been since 2006 that Chesney played this venue, and the sold-out crowd was more than ready for his return.
The Moment the Lights Dropped
At 8:55, the arena went dark, classic rock blasted from the speakers, and the excitement was almost too much to handle. Then, Chesney strode out, greeted the crowd with that trademark smile, and launched straight into “Til It’s Gone.” From that first note, you just knew — this was going to be one for the books.
He wasted no time rolling through favorites like “Beer in Mexico,” “We Do,” and “Here and Now.” By the time he hit “Summertime,” 13,000 voices had joined in, making the whole arena feel like one giant beach party.
A Sing-Along That Gave Everyone Goosebumps
One of the night’s sweetest moments came when Chesney pulled out his guitar for “The Good Stuff.” Cell phones lit the place up like a sea of stars, and the crowd sang every word. When the last note faded, Chesney looked out with a grin and said softly, “That’s so beautiful, thank you.”
The Big Duet Surprise
Midway through the set, the energy shifted as Chesney welcomed tourmate Kelsea Ballerini to the stage. Wearing her signature fringe, she stepped in to sing “Wild Child” and then joined Chesney hand-in-hand for their CMA-winning hit, “Half of My Hometown.”
The two shared a laugh about their East Tennessee roots, and fans happily sang along to every word. You could tell this wasn’t just a performance — it was two friends reliving their shared story in real time.
The Grand Finale — and a Twist
From there, it was full throttle to the finish line: “American Kids,” “Setting the World on Fire” with bassist Harmoni Kelley, and a reminder that “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.”
And just when fans were expecting his usual closer, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” Chesney threw in a twist — ending instead with “Don’t Happen Twice” and a little “Beer Can Chicken” for good measure.
@countrynow.com “When The Sun Goes Down” ☀️ @kennychesney #igobacktour
Why This Tour Hits Different
Sure, the setlist was packed with throwbacks and surprises, but the real magic of the I Go Back Tour is the connection. Chesney has always had a way of making even a huge arena feel like a backyard gathering, and this night was no exception.
“I wanted to bring all the power and passion of the stadium shows into these rooms,” Chesney shared after the show. “Charlottesville made the first night feel like the biggest stadium in the world.”
From the roaring applause to the heartfelt sing-alongs, Kenny Chesney didn’t just kick off a tour — he gave fans a night they’ll be talking about for years.
