Kenny Chesney to break out fan favorites for Heinz Field show

Kenny Chesney knows what his fans want to hear, and he’s prepared to give it to them Saturday when he returns to Heinz Field.

In his first Pittsburgh show since the start of the pandemic, all indications are that the country music legend will be sticking with his familiar formula for live concert success.

In fact, Chesney’s set list for his Thursday night concert at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, began with the same three songs he opened with when he last performed at Heinz Field in 2018 — “Beer in Mexico,” “Reality” and “Til It’s Gone.”

“He’s kind of picking up where he left off,” said Stoney Richards, long-time host on Pittsburgh country music station WDSY-FM (Y-108). “The thing about Kenny Chesney is he’s not afraid to do what his fans want. When you see these songs, it’s about having a good time, popping open a can of beer and just enjoying yourself in the sun.”

Thursday’s playlist also included many of Chesney’s bigger hits like “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” saved for the encore, “When The Sun Goes Down,” and the anthem “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”

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Richards said anytime Chesney plays Pittsburgh, it’s an event.

“It’s like going to a Steelers game,” he said. “The game is coming at 1 p.m., but you start preparing the night before. You’ve got boats lining up on the river all this week for this show. People are going to be tailgating. He gives the audience what they like and what they like about him is that his music is pure, it’s real and it’s fun.”

The concert starts at 5 p.m. It will be Chesney’s 11th time performing in Pittsburgh.

Maria D’Antonio, co-host of Y-108’s “Y’d Awake” morning show said Chesney’s appearance has been highly anticipated after a four-year wait.

“We talked to quite a few listeners this week who are preparing to turn their truck beds into swimming pools,” said D’Antonio. “Y-108 will have a commercial-free ‘tailgate’ on air from noon until 5 p.m., packed with live (Chesney) music.”

Also on the bill for Saturday are Grammy award-winning country-pop music duo Dan + Shay featuring singer/songwriters Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Smyers, who is a graduate of North Allegheny High School.