Country music superstar Garth Brooks is currently in the midst of his Stadium Tour, performing at massive venues across North America. His tour recently made a stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. With a capacity of over 102,000, Tiger Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in the country and provided an epic backdrop for Brooks’ concert. Fans were eagerly anticipating who Brooks would have open the show. Opening acts serve the important role of warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the headliner’s performance. Choosing the right opener is critical to getting the audience energized and ready for a night of top-notch country music. For an artist as iconic as Garth Brooks, expectations were high for a talented musician to kick off the show in Baton Rouge.
About Garth Brooks’ Stadium Tour
Garth Brooks is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has sold over 170 million records worldwide and is the recipient of 24 AMAs and 7 CMA Entertainer of the Year awards, more than any other artist. Brooks is known for his high energy live performances featuring his signature blend of rock, pop and country sounds. After taking a break from touring for several years, Brooks announced he would be going back on the road for his Stadium Tour which launched in 2019. The tour has featured sold-out shows in massive venues all across North America. Brooks performs in-the-round, with a stage set up in the center of the stadium floor to allow for 360 degree views. The concert in Baton Rouge marked a historic night for both Brooks and the city. It was the first time Brooks had ever performed in Baton Rouge and it was also the first concert ever held at Tiger Stadium.
Garth Brooks’ Concert in Baton Rouge
The Garth Brooks concert in Baton Rouge took place on Saturday, May 4, 2019. It marked the seventh stop on his three-year Stadium Tour. With over 102,000 in attendance, it was the largest ever show in the history of Tiger Stadium. The massive crowd broke LSU’s previous concert attendance record of 87,500 set in 2015 when the Zac Brown Band played at Tiger Stadium. The arena was packed with enthusiastic Garth Brooks fans who traveled from all across the Gulf Coast region to see the iconic musician. Traffic was backed up for miles on the roads leading to campus. Inside, the stadium energy was palpable as people streamed in wearing their cowboy boots and hats and ready for a night of adrenaline-pumping hits.
Choosing the Opening Act
Selecting the opening act for a major tour stop is an important decision. The opener’s performance impacts how the rest of the night will flow. For an epic venue like Tiger Stadium, the pressure was on to find an opener worthy of the stage and able to thrive in front of crowds of over 100,000. Many factors have to be taken into consideration when booking an opening act:
- Music style – Find an act whose music fits the headliner’s genre and fanbase preferences
- Draw power – Look for an up-and-coming act with a growing fanbase that will attract their own set of concertgoers
- Stage presence – Choose an energetic performer who can connect with a stadium-sized crowd
- Regional ties – Local or regional acts may resonate more with the nearby audience
- Budget – Bigger names command higher booking fees
- Touring schedule – Ensure they are available on the necessary tour dates
- Relationship – Utilize opening acts the headliner is already familiar with
Balancing all these factors is key to making sure the opening act selection is optimized to enhance the headliner’s show.
Past Garth Brooks Opening Acts
Throughout his touring career, Brooks has brought out a range of talented openers to warm up the crowd ahead of his headlining set. Previous opening acts on his tours have included:
- Chris Lane – Country music singer known for his party anthems and romantic ballads.
- Caylee Hammack – Rising country artist with a rock/blues/soul-influenced sound.
- Luke Combs – New traditional country star behind hits like “Beautiful Crazy” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
- Trisha Yearwood – Brooks’ wife and acclaimed country vocalist who has had multiple hit singles.
- Carrie Underwood – Former American Idol winner now a major country/pop crossover success.
- Karyn Rochelle – Country and gospel singer who was a backup performer on Brooks’ previous world tour.
These artists represent the variety of talent Brooks has invited to join him on the road over the years. His 2019 Stadium Tour lineup was highly anticipated as fans wondered which new acts he might tap as openers.
The Opening Act for the Baton Rouge Concert
After much speculation leading up to the big night, it was revealed that the opening act for Garth Brooks’ show at Tiger Stadium would be Mitchell Tenpenny. Mitchell Tenpenny is an emerging country music artist who started gaining recognition with his breakout single “Drunk Me.” The Nashville-based singer released his first major label album Telling All My Secrets in 2018 and was just starting to make a name for himself in the country music world. Securing a coveted opening slot on Brook’s massive Stadium Tour was a huge opportunity for Tenpenny to introduce himself to a national audience.
About Mitchell Tenpenny
Mitchell Tenpenny grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. He became passionate about music at a young age and learned to play the guitar in his early teens. In high school, he performed locally with a band he started called Mitchell Road. They released two albums before Tenpenny decided to embark on a solo career and make the move to Los Angeles in 2014.
Age | 29 |
---|---|
Hometown | Nashville, TN |
Genre | Country |
First Single | “Drunk Me” (2018) |
Record Label | Sony Music Nashville |
After networking and playing small club shows, he eventually caught the attention of music executives in Nashville and signed a record deal with Sony. His first single, “Drunk Me,” was sent to country radio in 2018 and quickly shot up the charts. The song about late-night romantic regrets resonated with listeners and showcased Tenpenny’s contemporary sound. More hit singles followed including “Alcohol You Later” and “Anything She Says.” His album Telling All My Secrets combined relatable songwriting and slick pop-country production. Tenpenny’s profile was on the rise when he landed the opportunity to open for Garth Brooks in Baton Rouge.
Why Mitchell Tenpenny Was the Right Choice
Mitchell Tenpenny ended up being an excellent choice as Brooks’ opening act for several reasons:
- Emerging New Artist – Tenpenny was just starting to get widespread attention in country music. The massive exposure from the tour would help build his fanbase.
- Style Fit – His pop-influenced country songs aligned well with Brooks’ wide-ranging musical tastes.
- Youthful Energy – At 29, Tenpenny brought a young, contemporary sound to amp up the crowd.
- Professional Experience – He had years of experience playing live shows and could handle the pressures of a huge stadium concert.
- Regional Ties – As a Nashville native, Tenpenny had an appeal to Southern crowds.
Tenpenny had all the ingredients to deliver an engaging opening set that aligned perfectly with the headliner Brooks’ aesthetic and audience.
Mitchell Tenpenny’s Performance
At around 7:30pm on the night of the concert, Mitchell Tenpenny took the stage to thunderous cheers from the Baton Rouge crowd. He kicked off his 12-song set with his single “Drunk Me,” getting the fans on their feet immediately. The audience enthusiastically sang along to his chart-topping hits and fan favorites. Tenpenny brought incredible energy on stage, working the crowd and showing off his strong vocals. His setlist included:
- “Drunk Me”
- “Alcohol You Later”
- “Anything She Says”
- “Make Anything Look Good”
- “Truck I Drove in High School”
- “Bitches”
- “Goner”
- “Go To Bed Early”
- “I Get It Now”
- “Can’t Go To Church”
- “Call Me Every Morning”
- “This Bar”
The audience was on their feet singing, dancing, and swaying along to Tenpenny’s Top 40 country hits. For his finale, Tenpenny closed out his 45-minute set with “This Bar,” an ode to good times with friends and memories made over drinks. He thanked the Baton Rouge crowd and handed the stage over to Garth Brooks for the main event. Tenpenny’s high-energy performance electrified the stadium and got everyone warmed up for an epic night ahead.
Reviews of Tenpenny’s Opening Set
Mitchell Tenpenny received rave reviews for his opening act in Baton Rouge. Both fans and critics praised his impressive stage presence and ability to command the massive Tiger Stadium:
“Mitchell Tenpenny worked the stage like he was the headliner himself. He had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.” – Baton Rouge Advocate
“The Nashville native looked right at home on the big stage and knew how to pump up the crowd with his lively show.” – Country Music Nation
“Tenpenny’s high energy performance was perfect to kick off an amazing night of country music.” – User review from concertgoer
Overall, Tenpenny delivered exactly what you want from an opener – he got the crowd fired up and set the stage beautifully for the icon Garth Brooks.
How the Opener Choice Paid Off
Choosing rising new artist Mitchell Tenpenny to open for Garth Brooks in Baton Rouge ended up being a smart move that benefitted both artists:
- Huge exposure for Tenpenny – Being part of the Stadium Tour gained Tenpenny widespread attention and exposure with over 100,000 in attendance just in Baton Rouge.
- Helped strengthen his fanbase – His stellar performance earned him lots of new fans and followers.
- Provided a boost for his career – The high-profile show bolstered his credibility and visibility within country music.
- Energized the crowd – Tenpenny got everyone excited and ready to sing along all night.
- Complemented Brooks musically – His country/pop blend aligned perfectly with Brooks’ style.
- Set the tone for a killer show – Garth Brooks was able to come out to a pumped up crowd and deliver an electrifying headline set.
Tenpenny helped make the Baton Rouge stop on the Stadium Tour a massive success. His star has continued to rise since earning the opportunity to open for the legendary Garth Brooks.
Conclusion
In summary, Mitchell Tenpenny was smartly chosen as the opening act for Garth Brooks’ May 2019 concert at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. The Nashville singer brought catchy hits, strong vocals, and incredible energy that got the massive crowd fired up for Brooks. Tenpenny’s uptempo country songs were the perfect musical match for the headliner. Having an emerging new artist like Tenpenny open the show aligned well with Brooks’ knack for amplifying rising talent. Tenpenny delivered a set that had the 102,000 fans on their feet and singing along. His performance earned rave reviews for both his music and stage presence in commanding the stadium-sized venue. The exposure and experience gained from opening for an icon like Garth Brooks provided a significant boost to Mitchell Tenpenny’s burgeoning career. Overall, choosing Tenpenny as the opener was a success that benefitted both artists and contributed to an unforgettable night of country music in Baton Rouge.