Country music superstar Jason Aldean is known for putting on high-energy shows packed with hit after hit. His concerts routinely run over 2 hours long, filled with nearly 30 songs and multiple costume changes. Aldean is an entertainer through and through, engaging with the audience and delivering an unforgettable experience for fans. So how long can you expect a typical Jason Aldean concert to last? Let’s take a closer look at the length of his shows and what goes into them.
Average Jason Aldean Concert Length
Most Jason Aldean concerts run between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. His 2018 High Noon Neon Tour averaged about 2 hours 30 minutes. Setlist.fm data shows his average show is around 27-29 songs long. Of course, times can vary by venue and city. Outdoor festivals and larger arenas sometimes lead to slightly shorter sets than more intimate theater shows. But you can bank on getting at least 2 hours of full-throttle, hit-packed entertainment at a Jason Aldean show.
Typical Jason Aldean Setlist Structure
Jason Aldean’s sets are meticulously crafted to keep the energy high and take fans on a journey. He understands how to build momentum and vary the tone throughout the night. Most shows start off with a few uptempo rockers to get the crowd energized. Then he’ll mix in some of his signature ballads and mid-tempo anthems. Aldean includes songs from his latest album but also makes sure to play tried-and-true hits fans expect to hear. He’ll often work in a few covers too, showing his influences and talents beyond his own catalog. The biggest hits usually come a little later in the set, building up to an encore closure sending fans out on a high note.
Opening
The opening 5-6 songs get the party started. Some staple opening tracks at recent concerts include:
- “Lights Come On”
- “Take a Little Ride”
- “Big Green Tractor”
- “Fly over States”
Middle
The middle portion lets Aldean show his range, mixing rowdy party songs with emotional ballads. He’ll often perform his latest singles here. Some common mid-set tracks are:
- “Dirt Road Anthem”
- “Amarillo Sky”
- “You Make It Easy”
- “Girl Like You”
End
Aldean brings the most high-energy songs towards the end, getting fans pumped up for an explosive encore finish. Popular closing tracks include:
- “She’s Country”
- “My Kinda Party”
- “Hicktown”
- “Crazy Town”
Stage Production
One reason Jason Aldean’s concerts run on the longer side is the elaborate stage production. There are multiple costume changes where he’ll appear in everything from leather jackets to cowboy hats and boots. His stages are equipped with giant LED screens, pyrotechnics, moving platforms, and unique geometry suited to each tour. The production value is on par with the biggest rock shows.
Between songs, Aldean also takes time to talk to the audience. He’ll chat about the city he’s in, make jokes, and express appreciation for the fans. These human moments make each show feel special.
High Noon Neon Tour Stage
Aldean’s 2018 High Noon Neon Tour featured a giant ram skull backdrop with glowing eyes. The skull had moving lower jaws and would “talk” to the crowd. Columns of flame would shoot up at the sides of the stage in synch with the songs. At one point, Aldean did a costume change into a black leather outfit and then rode a glowing bull sculpture onto the stage.
They Don’t Know Tour Stage
On his 2019 They Don’t Know Tour, Aldean’s stage resembled an old western town. It had saloon-style doors, wanted posters, a balcony, and windows lit in red. The singer would walk out onto farm platforms lowering from the ceiling to get closer to the crowds. This tour also featured a b-stage at the back of the arena for acoustic songs. The production transported fans to the world of Aldean’s music.
Supporting Acts
Most Jason Aldean concerts also feature 1-2 supporting acts. These are typically around 30 minutes long each. So the total event length gets extended even more with opening acts. Some of the common opening artists on recent tours include:
- Luke Combs
- Chris Young
- Dee Jay Silver
- Carly Pearce
- Jimmie Allen
So you not only get a full Aldean set, but get introduced to some great up-and-coming country stars too.
Setlist Variations
While Aldean’s setlist structure stays relatively consistent from show to show, he’ll swap out songs here and there to keep things fresh. Fan-shot videos show he might replace 2-3 songs each night. He has so many hits and album cuts to choose from. He also likes to feature a different cover song in the encore at each show. Some covers he’s performed lately include songs by Brooks & Dunn, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, and even Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.”
Average Song Length
The songs themselves in a Jason Aldean concert run around 3 minutes 30 seconds to 4 minutes long on average. His mega-hits like “She’s Country” and “Dirt Road Anthem” will often extend out a bit with extended solos and jams to get fans pumping their fists and singing along. So while an Aldean show has nearly 30 songs, we’re only talking about 90 minutes or so of actual music performed. The rest is taken up by costume changes, stage production, and Aldean’s crowd banter.
Factors That Could Shorten or Lengthen Show
While most Jason Aldean concerts fall in the 2 hour 15 minute to 2 hour 45 minute range, there are factors that can slightly shorten or lengthen individual shows.
Festival Sets
When Aldean performs at multi-act country music festivals, he’ll often get only 60-75 minutes to perform. Recent festival sets have included:
- Stagecoach Festival – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Windy City LakeShake – 1 hour
- Carolina Country Music Fest – 1 hour 30 minutes
He’ll cram in as many hits as possible and ditch the elaborate staging when at festivals.
Tour Openers
If Aldean doesn’t have an opener, he may play a little longer to make up for the lost time. But most major tours will have 1-2 supporting acts.
Intimate Venues
At smaller theaters and clubs, Aldean may extend his sets a bit more. Recent shows at intimate venues like the Ryman Auditorium have gone over 2 hours 30 minutes. The more cozy vibe lends itself to extra songs and more fan interaction.
Arena Headlining Shows
When headlining a big NHL/NBA-sized arena, Aldean will make sure fans get their money’s worth with a full theatrical production. Shows at venues like Madison Square Garden often go longer than 2 hours 30 minutes.
Weather Issues
Extreme weather can also shorten concerts by a song or two in rare cases. Excessive heat, lightning, or stormy conditions could lead to slightly trimmed sets. But Aldean is a professional and will still make sure fans feel satisfied.
Typical Jason Aldean Encore Length
The encore is one of the most anticipated parts of any Jason Aldean show. Fans can expect the encore to last around 15-20 minutes on average. Aldean’s goal with the encore is to send fans home feeling genuinely spent and satisfied. He’ll often play 4-5 of his most recognizable hits and mainstream smashes during the encore segment. His energy feels just as intense for these final songs as the opening. Expect crowd sing-alongs, guitar solos, jumps from the drummer’s platform, and explosions of confetti or fire as Aldean closes out his shows in spectacular fashion.
Getting Your Money’s Worth
When going to a Jason Aldean concert, fans want to feel like they are getting the full experience and value for their ticket price. Based on average concert lengths, if you paid $100 for a ticket you are paying about $40 per hour enjoyed. With at least 2 hours 30 minutes of non-stop entertainment – not to mention the opening acts – Aldean delivers a concert well worth the price. From start to finish you get an action-packed show and more than enough music and excitement. For a relatively reasonable ticket cost, you get the best of Jason Aldean and leave feeling satisfied and thrilled.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways on the typical length of a Jason Aldean concert:
- Most concerts run between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes
- The average show is around 27-29 songs long
- Opening acts add 30-60+ minutes of additional entertainment
- Aldean’s high-energy sets feature costume changes, crowd interaction, and theatrical production
- Encores usually last 15-20 minutes packing in his biggest hits
- Fans get great value for their ticket dollars with a show experience running over 2.5 hours
So now you know what to expect when heading out to a Jason Aldean concert. Be ready to sing along, raise your drink, and make some noise as Aldean delivers hit after hit all night long. It will be an epic good-time show with all the fixings and songs that have made Aldean country music’s reigning party king.
Conclusion
In summary, Jason Aldean concerts typically run between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes in length. With a catalog of over 20 #1 hits and amped up live show production, Aldean gives fans an incredible amount of music and entertainment for the ticket price. Concertgoers can expect at least 27-29 songs and a 15-20 minute encore filled with the biggest smashes. Exact show lengths vary by venue and city, but at an average of around 2 hours 30 minutes, Jason Aldean delivers a full night of energy, emotion, and country rock power. Fans walk away feeling like they’ve just experienced the best of Aldean and got their money’s worth. For a headlining arena or stadium show with a couple opening acts, it’s not unusual for the total event to stretch nearly 4 hours. But with Aldean at the helm, the time flies by in what becomes an epic, unforgettable concert party.
