Kelsea Ballerini Solidifies Her Superstar Status With Stunning Sold-Out Arena Concert in Nashville

Ballerini’s first-ever arena tour is a MUST-SEE. The East Tennessee native proved she is more than worthy of an Entertainer Of The Year nomination with her show-stopping performance.

By

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on February 1, 2025

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Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell

Kelsea Ballerini solidified her superstar status on Friday, January 31, with an impressive sold-out concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The show also featured support from “Dancing With Your Ghost” singer Sasha Alex Sloan and Black River Recording artist MaRynn Taylor.

Kelsea Ballerini Dazzles With Sold-Out Bridgestone Arena Concert In Nashville

Exuding confidence, the country superstar and GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter proved throughout the night that she has come into her own as an arena headliner with an electrifying set that will be remembered for years to come.

Ballerini delivered a 23-song set that took fans on a journey through her career, including songs from all five of her albums, from her debut project, The First Time, to her latest release, PATTERNS, and everything in between. Her set included fan-favorite tracks such as “Baggage,” “We Broke Up,” “Wait!,” “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “IF YOU GO GOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO),” “Hole In The Bottle,” “Mountain With A View,” “Peter Pan,” “MUSCLE MEMORY,” and more.

Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell

The Show Marked A Ten-Year Dream Come True For Ballerini

This concert was especially meaningful for Ballerini, who vowed back in 2018 after headlining the iconic Ryman Auditorium on the Unapologetically Tour that she wouldn’t headline a show in Nashville until she could sell out Bridgestone Arena. It was a ten-year dream come true and the result of over a decade worth of hard work and perseverance.

“I could tell you that this night started ten years ago when I put out ‘Love Me Like You Mean It.’ I could tell you that getting here started 16 years ago when I moved to Nashville to try to figure out how to do this. I could tell you that tonight started when I was 12 when I wrote my first song [and] I don’t know where it started to end up here tonight, but God, I cannot believe we are at a sold out night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee,” Ballerini said.

She continued, “I’ve been in this room a million times as a fan, this is the arena where I see my favorite artists. I’ve been in here for the CMAs and the CMTs and like so many things. This room means so much to me. I just want to tell you the story. In 2018, I was doing a headlining tour called the Unapologetically Tour. It was my first time headlining the Ryman across the street, which is a dream… bucket list. And I remember I walked off-stage, and I looked at my team and I said, ‘I’m not going to do another headlining show in Nashville until I can sell at Bridgestone Arena’ and I kept my word, and tonight’s my first headlining show in Nashville since then.”

Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell

Shared A Full-Circle With Keith Urban

The show was even more special for Ballerini as the capacity crowd included her entire team and loyal fans as well as her boyfriend, Chase Stokes, mother, Carla, and many other key figures who were impactful to her life and career, including songwriters, famous friends, her dog’s oncologist (Dr. Williams), her Pilates instructor and many more.

Adding to the emotional evening, Ballerini brought out fellow country superstar Keith Urban for a full-circle moment, performing “Stupid Boy,” a track she credits as the song that inspired her to become a singer/songwriter and pursue a career in country music.

“This song called ‘Stupid Boy’ by Keith Urban, and I just remembered I had this visceral reaction to it. And I mean, I hadn’t gone through it. I was like 12 or 13, but there was something about that song that made me at this moment in my bedroom go, ‘oh my God, I want to be a songwriter. I want to do exactly what the song makes me feel. That’s exactly what I want to do with my life.’ And one of the few times that I’ve gotten to play this room, it was opening for Keith Urban and I thought for little 12 or 13-year-old me, it could be really special to sing that song.”

@musicmayhemmagazine.com

@Kelsea Ballerini shared a full-circle moment with @Keith Urban in Nashville when she performed “Stupid Boy” with him during her first-ever headlining (SOLD-OUT) Bridgestone Arena concert. What a special moment! #KelseaBallerini #Kelsea #Ballerini #KelseaBalleriniConcert #KelseaBalleriniSong #KeithUrban #StupidBoy #CountryMusic #CountryConcert #ThatsNashvilleForYa #MusicCity #Nashville #NashvilleTN #NashvilleTennessee #FullCircle #SoldOut #BridgestoneArena #COUNTRY #PATTERNS #keithurbanconcert

♬ original sound – Music Mayhem

Packed With Unforgettable Moments

The show was packed with unforgettable moments, including her show-stopping performance of “Miss Me More,” which we’ll call her true superstar moment of the night. She also delivered an emotional rendition of “Blindsided,” a song that references Bridgestone Arena within its lyrics, and a fan project that lit up the sold-out crowd in blue, pink, and white during “Beg For Your Love.” Another highlight would be when Ballerini showcased a more mature side with a choreographed dance routine on a chair that lead into her performance of “We Broke Up.”

One of the most poignant moments of the night came during “Penthouse,” when fans screamed every lyric and really accentuated certain lyrics such as “a backyard for Dibs,” “knowing you got half” and “I kissed someone new last night, and now I don’t care where you’re sleeping baby” — a goosebump-inducing moment that left Ballerini in tears as she took in the reality of her dreams coming true on stage in front of her Nashville fans.

Ballerini’s tour boasted a top-notch, visually stunning production that included 3D videos, pyrotechnics, lasers, confetti/streamers, low-lying fog and a dazzling light show. Every song was paired with a unique lighting display and visuals that perfectly complemented the vibe of each performance.

Not only was the production next-level, but so was Ballerini’s wardrobe. Ballerini, who will appear as a coach on NBC’s The Voice, had several outfit changes throughout the show, including a dazzling mirrored sequin ensemble, a glittery ruby red bodysuit and a baby pink feathered dress.

The Crowd Was Completely Captivated

From start to finish, there wasn’t a single moment during the show that Ballerini didn’t have the crowd in the palm of her hand as she belted out the lyrics to her anthemic songs. Fans were completely captivated by her performance and showcased their dedication to the East Tennessee native by singing along to every word to every song all night – even the deeps cuts, not just the singles.

The strong connection Ballerini shares with her fans was prominently displayed throughout her 90-minute set, as she made sure to engage with them with every opportunity she got. From taking selfies, reading posters and even playing rock, paper, scissors with one fan, Ballerini made sure to let her fans know how grateful she is for their endless support with heartfelt interactions.

Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell

Ballerini humbly returned the love to her fans throughout the show with “thank yous.” She also paused several times throughout the evening to soak in the moment as the crowd erupted into thunderous ovations.

Worthy Of Entertainer Of The Year

The high-energy show was a perfect example of just how far Kelsea Ballerini has come as both a vocalist and entertainer, and it’s clear the time has come for Ballerini to receive the coveted Entertainer of the Year nomination that she most certainly deserves.

First-Ever Arena Tour, New Album PATTERNS

Kelsea Ballerini’s first-ever arena tour continues through April 9, where the AEG Presents-promoted headlining trek will wrap up at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina. Sasha Alex Sloan, Ashe, The Japanese House and MaRynn Taylor join Ballerini on select dates of the tour.

The tour comes in support of her latest project, PATTERNS, which arrived on October 25 via Black River Entertainment. The project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and No. 4 on Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, earning Ballerini the highest debut of her career. PATTERNS follows the release of Ballerini’s EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good).

Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo Courtesy of Catherine Powell

For more information on Kelsea Ballerini’s new music and tour dates, visit her official website HERE.

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Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski

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