Kenny Chesney has brought his party-friendly country music to the Red River Valley so many times this decade his concert routine isn't exactly a mystery.
Unless the country stud decides to drastically change his motif, tonight's concert will feature a run of Chesney's radio hits, a wardrobe without sleeves and a room full of the confident, easy-going party vibe that has made Chesney a recession-proof concert draw.
Still, the beauty's in the details. And if you're among the 13,000 or more people the Fargodome is expecting for tonight's concert and are looking for some insight into tonight's concert, here's a bit of what to expect - without giving it all away.
The music
Chesney's been playing two similar, yet quite different set lists during his spring/summer run of concerts.
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If he stays true to form, the set's opening song will either be "Live Those Songs" or "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." Whichever one isn't the opener could be the set's closer.
In between those tunes, Chesney will shuffle through hits such as the seasonal party anthem "Summertime" and his Jimmy Buffet-channeling "No Shoes. No Shirt. No Problem." There will be moments of slow-dancing reflection in "There Goes My Life" and "Anything But Mine." And, yes, he's been playing his latest hit, "Out Last Night."
What's unknown is whether the set will include some cover songs. Chesney's been closing some concerts with his take on John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane." He then returns for an encore full of covers touching on the hits of George Strait, The Steve Miller Band, Tom Petty and The Eagles.
Stage show
In a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, Chesney talked about his disdain regarding the typical concert's separation between artist and audience.
That's why his "Sun City Carnival" tour has Chesney getting closer to the crowd. At some point, he'll harken memories of Van Halen tours and take flight on a "chair" that "flies" him over the crowd gathered on the floor.
YouTube clips show a stage show with more big screens than a Best Buy showroom. And there's even a bit of misdirection involving the star and his entrance to the stage. The Entertainment Weekly article revealed that Chesney is "smuggled" on stage in a road case that will "take him to a tented area from which he will fly to the stage."
It's during the smuggling that Chesney says he gets his game face on. He told the magazine, "This is where I turn into Him."
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Group thing
Part of the appeal of tonight's concert is the lineup, which includes the opening acts Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert - each rising, critically acclaimed country acts.
So, naturally, it's worth wondering if Chesney will bring them on stage to sing with him.
Lady Antebellum says this hasn't happened to them yet. But several YouTube clips from this year show Lambert joining Chesney on stage when he sings a song by the Steve Miller Band.
Party appeal
It's common to see Chesney and his band drinking on stage from cups that typically are paired with kegs.
And since he sings about partying as if it's a form of survival it's not a surprise that some Chesney concerts have been reporting tailgaters congregating before the show. The Fargodome's Web site has a notice reading "There is no tailgating or alcohol consumption permitted at the Fargodome prior to the concert." However, there will be a pre-concert party from 4-6 p.m. at the Fargodome's North-East Plaza.
Tickets
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The Fargodome says there are still tickets available for the concert. They can be found at the dome's box office.
If you go
What: Kenny Chesney with Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: Fargodome, 1800 University Drive N.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at the dome box office for $21.50 to $81
