Kenny Chesney Looks Smaller in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, a concert just doesn't feel right when it's inside a stadium built for sports. At least that's the conclusion after a Kenny Chesney show there Thursday night (July 23). The Salt Lake Tribune reported that since Rio Tinto Stadium -- where Chesney played -- was built for soccer, it is inadequate for music. "Despite great acoustics and a huge set with state-of-the-art lighting and visual elements, the stage, positioned at the far south side of the stadium, makes each performer seem so much smaller. Even someone like Bruce Springsteen, or an Old Testament prophet, would feel overwhelmed and distant in such a stadium," the reviewer says. It's certainly exciting for the artist to say he or she sold out a sports behemoth, but what about the fans in the way, way, way back? How exciting is it for them? It may be time to go back to putting the music where it belongs: in the theaters and amphitheaters built for music.
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Traci says:
I was at the concert last night and Kenny, Miranda and Lady Antebellum put on an AMAZING show!!! They were full on charged — drenched in sweat and all!! :) However…. I thought the sound/acoustics sucked!! Yes, it was outside, which is why I love Kenny’s concerts, but it was so difficult to understand them speaking let alone singing — just a big blur. And they truly do look like ants — wish the stage would have been set up in the center of the field! (Would have been much better) I am not sure I would pay to attend a concert at Rio Tinto again no matter who the artist was. The smaller venues are much nicer but that would put a big kink in the $$$$$$$ and the STATUS of selling out such a big venue, wouldn’t it? Fans? Money? Fans? More Money? Also, it really irks me, actually, pisses me off when you can’t bring any of your own frozen water and they basically rape you charging 5.00 for a small bottle of Fiji. Abso-freakin-lutely ridiculous!!! If we can’t bring anything in, of which I completely understand the security issue, then the merchants should really provide better CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Charge up the wazoo for beer and soda but water????? Seriously people. I would be surprised if there were no health emergencies last night due to the 100 degree+ weather — it was the most miserable I have ever been at a concert. That being said… I really did enjoy the artists and after reading all the negative blogs about the concert in CA I was pleasantly thrilled — they put on a great show!!
Tall Mary Ann says:
This is spot on. I paid almost $100 and was 90 yards away in this sports arena. They could have put the concert on the floor, and circulated it, but no, we were stuck with the littly Kenny.
Last week I spent about the same for George Strait and was in the 8th row.
Also this venue is inadequate in service. Corona was a sponsor and before Miranda the main concession centers were out of Corona. Great advertizing.
Then, let’s say you wanted a soda or water. Both were warm, and guess what? Rio Tinto doesn’t serve ice. YIKES! it was 100 degrees!
Missing the sick Sugarland was huge, and one of the main reasons for my justification in the price. Being unaware of the refund option, until I started researching how to leave my thoughts about the venue, was too bad. I could have listened to a Kenny CD at the pool instead.
Kenny did put on an energetic concert, and was the consumate performer, right up to the oncore. Who cared about all the band singing? We came to see Kenny.
Rio is definately off my list.
S says:
I wasn’t at this concert but did go to his show when he performed at Qwest stadium in Seattle. I know the stadiums hold more people but it does suck for the ones who are in the very back. I saw him last year at the MGM in Las Vegas and thought it was better. True it didn’t hold as many people but the acoustics were better and the ones in the back weren’t as far away. I also saw him once at the Rose Garden in Portland and enjoyed it more than the stadium show in Seattle.
Janetgijoenurse says:
I wouldn’t see that overrated whatever for a thousand dollars. Go to your island Kenny, your populartity is fading, can’t sell even a gold now.
S says:
Everyone has their own opinion. I think he puts on an incredible show.
H says:
Seating Charts people! I have seen him many times in Qwest Field and he puts on an amazing show in a stadium. Seeing him in smaller venues provide an equal show, so don’t think it’s the venue.
M says:
Last night was so hot people were getting sick….no water, no ice! It was the worst enviroment I had ever been in at a concer. I will never go back to Rio Tinto. They need to figure out how to throw a COMFORTABLE concert. It was terrible! The artists were great tho.
nic says:
Did anyone else notice that Kenny missed words and repeated verses? He stopped singing at one point and was talking to the person who gave him the Utes hat. Maybe a little too much booze was consumed pre show. The encore was horrible. I didn’t pay $150 per my 3 tickets to listen to roadies sing. I will not ever go to another concert at Rio Tinto again. The sound was bad. Kenny’s voice wasn’t audible over the music. Main staple songs were left out. Kenny, please come back to Usana next year and redeem yourself. Still love him though.
alex says:
Maybe Chesney just needs a bigger hat to hide under!
I’ve seen Kenny live twice and was extremely underwhelmed both times. The opening act both times put Kenny to shame. I vowed I would never go see him again after the second time, I don’t care who opens for him. He just isn’t all that he thinks he is, and from the various reviews of his shows this year, I see more and more people are finding out the same thing.
Kristy says:
I love Kenny and have seen him the last four years and by far this was the worst concert I have ever been to, RIO TINTO is for soccer not for concerts I will never ever go back there no matter who is there. The service was horrible the bathrooms were worse then an outhouse, we couldnt even see Kenny from our seats and there were 2 big screen and they were behind kenny. I was sadly disapointed I hope next year he goes back to Usana he is my favorite concert to go to and i would not see him next time if it was at rio tinto.
fluffy says:
personally ,I have never thought he was any good,he has a few good songs ,but all the fuss that has been made about him ,and alot of the so call superstars is far over done , I wouldn’t go to se him if it was free
Twangtown7 says:
As usual, Janet is drunk again. And in early afternoon? Yikes.
TNgirl says:
I’ve never seen Kenny in a big arena or stadium but I have seen him at a keg show twice up front and have to say he’s the best I love the small venue. He puts on one hell of a show all by him self he don’t need all the opening acts. And he can go all night long just him even doing the cover songs. So I’d say if any of you can catch a keg show. It’s the best.
wanker says:
I thought overall the concert was really fun and Kenny was great, but it did suck in the Rio Tinto stadium. It would have been way better to sit on the grass at the usanna aphitheater. I don’t think I’d ever go to another concert at rio tinto.
Lori says:
I am so glad I am not alone in my thinking!!! I love Kenny, and USANA is the best place for him. Rio Tinto is an awful venue for concerts. I will not EVER go to a concert there again. I would rather drive to see Kenny at a smaller venue. And yes, ending a show with FIVE cover songs? Come on!!! I too, was disappointed with the roadies singing?! That was just weird…if we want to see karaoke, we can go to our local bar!
Jul says:
I agree with Nic I went to see Kenny not roadies!
I saw Chesney in the Delta Center 2005 and it was a great show-much better! Outdoor concerts are my favorite but not at Rio Tinto, I would only go see Kenny again if he came to Usana! The service was horrible, they were running out
of things (it may have been water I think)they were slow.
Bad venue for a concert! Kenny did himself a dis-service by letting the roadies sing. Very disappointing! He better come back and redeem himself!
S says:
Not that it matters, but I’m curious if he has his roadies sing at every concert or did they just sing at this one? Can someone who has seen him someplace besides Rio Tinto answer this?
nic says:
I have been to 5 Kenny shows and this is the first time roadies sang that I can remember. He has brought out the opening acts before to sing with him.
S says:
Thanks. I was just wondering because I knew the roadies sang at the very last concert but this is the first time I’ve heard where they have sang at any of the other ones. I’m not going to get to see Kenny this year. We could only afford one concert this year so decided to see Keith Urban because we’ve never been to one of this concerts. I’ll miss seeing Kenny.
kelley says:
i was in the sand bar area and all i have to say is kenny rocks my world the concert was awsome!!!!
C says:
Rio Tinto stadium for music is awful!!!! I also was at the Kenny concert and will not go back for any concert or sporting event! It was clear they were not prepared to host a large amount of people on a very hot day. Very disappointing to spend a $100+ per ticket to have the venue not accommodate their guests. I have been a fan of Kenny for a long time, love his music but, was also very disappointed in the roadies. I have been going to see his concerts for the last four years and I do not plan on attending next year. He needs to do something to mix it up sing other songs (he has so many he never sings). Bottom line if you have been to a concert don’t bother going to another it is basically what you have already seen. (unless you just want to party, you would be better off just buying his CD.)
Melissa says:
I saw Kenny at Rio Tinto and I was very disappointed! The one song I was really looking forward to him singing (The Good Stuff) he didn’t sing! I was very upset when he brought out Mark Tambourino and sang Sublime! I like when Miranda and Lady A played rock songs but Kenny did a horrible job at diversifying his music! And not to mention I was sweating the entire time! Not worth my money in my opinion!
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stephhhh!! says:
It was my first kenny concert ever in my 16 years of life!! I loved it more than i love texting my boyfriend! Kenny is amazing and his popularity is definately not fading!! I love him and all my family loves him:] Rio Tinto may have made him look small but, it didnt matter to me because I was down on the stadium floor feet away from the stage! -one love-