Chesney-McGraw Tour Ends

Chesney, McGraw Break Record For Tickets Sold in New England, as 111,209 Fans Help ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Wrap 23 Stadium Dates

The ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour, with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, ended its historic run this weekend with two sold-out shows at Foxboro, MA’s Gillette Stadium – a triumphant encore for the biggest stadium tour of the year and the highest-grossing tour of the summer, according to Pollstar. The 111,209 tickets sold for the shows were what Dan Murphy, Gillette Stadium’s Vice President of External Affairs, called “a record for the biggest country music event in New England history.” Just two weeks ago, Chesney and McGraw hosted the biggest ticketed country show in NYC/NJ history at a sold-out MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Touring authorities agree that Chesney and McGraw’s 22-city/23-stadium jaunt (with two sold-out shows in Foxboro, MA) ruled the road this summer, with no other tours coming close to the number of stadiums hit by the duo. “The ‘Brothers of the Sun’ tour was a massive commercial and creative success, a very special event that packed 23 stadiums in an era when stadium tours on this continent are few and far between,” says Ray Waddell, who covers the touring business for Billboard. “Beyond that, Chesney and McGraw’s ‘Brothers’ was a special treat for fans, who were able to enjoy two of the most charismatic performers in country music history on the same stage, as well as be turned on to Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and check out a rising star in Jake Owen. This is live music chemistry at its best, and it shows in the type of numbers they put up, as ‘Brothers’ is one of the elite tours of the year across all genres. ‘Brothers of the Sun’ was great for country music, the live music business in general and, most importantly, fans.”

From Chesney’s #1 hits like “Beer In Mexico” or current single “Come Over,” to his tribute to Beantown “She’s From Boston” – during which he replaced his cowboy hat with a Red Sox cap to the roaring delight of the crowd – the two packed Foxboro audiences soaked up every minute of the performances, knowing that they were witnessing the bittersweet end to an historic tour. With 32 #1 one songs under his belt, McGraw’s set covered hits including “Felt Good On My Lips,” “Real Good Man,” “I Like It, I Love It” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” The GRAMMY winner brought the crowd to a fever pitch with his current single and high energy show-stopper “Truck Yeah.”

Boston Metro commented, “it was easy to see why people have been calling the ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour one of the biggest country music events that the New England area has ever…And though the tour ends after tonight’s performance, it seemed like they could take the show around the country once more.”

“I couldn’t imagine bringing this incredible journey to a close anywhere else but Gillette Stadium,” Chesney said. “The fans in New England welcome us with such energy year after year, and it was the perfect ending to one of the most fun tours I’ve been a part of.”

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