Kenny Chesney Brings Out Kelsea Ballerini During Spectacular Opening Night of Sphere Las Vegas Residency

After months of anticipation - and perhaps a little trepidation - Kenny Chesney has kicked off his blockbuster Sphere Las Vegas residency - and rest assured it was well worth the wait.

The ‘I Go Back’ hitmaker stayed true to his promise to incorporate deeper cuts into his Sphere setlist, with Chesney reeling off much-loved tracks such as ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ and ’One Lonely Island’, the latter of which has never been performed live before.

We were also teased in the lead-up that he'd be bringing some of his good friends along for the ride, and as the set approached its finale, Kenny Chesney surprised Sphere attendees with a guest appearance from his fellow Knoxville native, Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelsea Ballerini joined her former tour-mate for their nostalgic CMA Award-winning collaboration, ‘half of my hometown’, as well as delivering a playful, tongue-in-cheek rendition of Kenny Chesney's iconic ‘90s earworm, ‘She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy’.

The highlight from Ballerini's three-song medley, however, was undoubtedly the beautifully intricate ‘You and Tequila’, which again showcased Chesney's ability to flit between galvanising, carpe diem anthems and stripped-back, soul-searching ballads.

With Kenny Chesney eschewing his traditional summer stadium tour in favour of a 15-night residency at the innovative Sphere in Las Vegas, the country legend's loyal No Shoes Nation fanbase would have been forgiven for feeling apprehensive at the prospect of confining their sun-soaked, beachside joi-de-vivre to an indoor venue.

But in reality, through the vibrant, immersive graphics, Chesney and his team transported them across the world, beginning in the depths of the ocean, before taking them to everywhere from the beach to the home of his beloved Tennessee Volunteers.

The opening sequence was truly breathtaking, with the curtain rising to reveal a murky shipwreck, with the camera moving ominously through the sea before emerging and plunging viewers into the Sphere as Kenny Chesney stormed onto the stage.

The addition of the Guitars, Tiki Bars and A Whole Lotta Love museum was the cherry on top of this magnificent extravaganza, with the entire experience feeling tailor-made for Chesney's No Shoes Nation. The best part? They can do it all again this weekend.

For the full setlist from Kenny Chesney's opening night at Sphere Las Vegas on Thursday, May 22nd 2025, see below:

1. Beer in Mexico
2. Keg in the Closet
3. Til It's Gone
4. Here and Now
5. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
6. Welcome to the Fishbowl
7. One Lonely Island
8. Reality
9. I Go Back
10. Seven Days
11. Summertime
12. Somewhere With You
13. Living in Fast Forward
14. Big Star
15. Setting the World on Fire
16. Young
17. Noise
18. She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy (with Kelsea Ballerini)
19. half of my hometown (with Kelsea Ballerini)
20. You and Tequila (with Kelsea Ballerini)
21. When the Sun Goes Down
22. All the Pretty Girls
23. Out Last Night

Encore

1. American Kids
2. Anything But Mine
3. Don't Happen Twice

For more on Kenny Chesney, see below: