More than 50,000 people cheered headliner Kenny Chesney as the country music star ended the 16-act, two-day Bayou Country Superfest on Sunday night. Chesney, like the acts that played before him, expressed his excitement about being part of the event.
“I’ve been sitting back there in that bus waiting to play Tiger Stadium,” Chesney said shortly after he took stage. “And I can’t believe that I’m here.”Taking his cues from the likes of Jimmy Buffitt, Bruce Springsteen with Garth Brooks, Chesney performed emotional, nostalgic ballads, easy-rolling tunes about summer and the beach plus some urgent rockers. His material inspired one stadium-wide sing along after another. Prior to Chesney’s show, Brooks & Dunn, the biggest-selling duo in country history, rocked Tiger Stadium like the Rolling Stones, drawing a rapturous reaction.
Young country-rockers Jason Aldean and Jake Owen both featured thunderous drums and guitars, but Aldean at times was the more country of the two, including a steel guitar in his band and hit love song called “Big Green Tractor.” Owen’s performance, however, featured an on-stage marriage proposal, delivered by a young man named Josh to his girlfriend. After the proposal, the couple danced as Owen sang a song Josh knows well, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You.”
On Saturday, a smiling Taylor Swift stared into the mass of people that surrounded her in the stadium stands and on the field. Probably the biggest star in country music, Swift’s headlining appearance no doubt drew a huge portion of the many thousands in attendance Saturday night.
Red lipstick accented Swift’s bright smile as giant video screens magnified the 20-year-old’s fair, girlish face. During her more aggressive songs, Swift dramatically flipped her long blond waves of hair.
She may be a country act, but she’s also a pop star ready for stadium rock.
Swift’s show featured dancers, video segments between performances and numerous costume changes for the star and her supporting players. Singing the exuberant “You Belong With Me,” she made her entrance dressed as a majorette, accompanied by dancers in cheerleader uniforms. The majorette outfit quickly gave way to a glittering silver dress, the first of several glittering dresses she’d wear during a two-hour show.
A few songs into her performance, the seemingly awestruck Swift greeted the Tiger Stadium audience, saying she’s been waiting a year to welcome them to the first Bayou Country Superfest.
“I’m Taylor,” Swift said. “This is the very first time in my life I have ever headlined a stadium.”Swift noted another first later, saying Superfest is the first concert to be held in the Tiger Stadium.