No Shirt, No Shoes? Kenny Chesney Changes Dress Code, Brings Country to the Sphere

Since its opening in 2023, Sphere has been one of the hottest venues in recent memory in Las Vegas. Until now, the technological wonder has played host mostly to rock artists such as U2, the Eagles, U2 and Dead & Company. That will change come May as five-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney will enter Sphere for a residency in the entertainment capital of the world. 

“When we started talking about all of the possibilities of playing Sphere, I was all in,” Chesney noted during the announcement of the dates. 

“Just the idea of 4D technology and the impossibly dialed-in sound raises the experience for No Shoes Nation (the term for Chesney’s fan base) … this is going to be a whole new way of rocking the fans, and I can’t wait.”

12 Nights of Country Revelry at Sphere

Chesney will open his 12-night run of shows on May 22 and be quite busy over the remainder of the Spring. 

Here’s the complete list of Kenny Chesney show dates (as of now, as virtually all Sphere performers eventually come back or extend their stay): 

Thursday, May 22
Saturday, May 24
Sunday, May 25
Wednesday, May 28
Friday, May 30
Saturday, May 31
Wednesday, June 4
Friday, June 6
Saturday, June 7
Wednesday, June 11
Friday, June 13
Saturday, June 14

Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Friday, January 31, at 10 PM (Pacific), but there are other ways fans can get in on the fun. Chesney is offering VIP Concert and Hotel Packages through Vibee. 

Fans can choose accommodations at either The Venetian or Virgin Las Vegas, with an assortment of special events being held in coordination with the shows. 

The price on this special package is not cheap; the least expensive package will likely set you back over $700 per person. Yet we have no reason to think these shows won’t still sell out. 

Legacy of Country Music Excellence

Initially a songwriter in the Nashville scene, Chesney would graduate to the big time in 1994 with the release of his first album, In My Wildest Dreams. Although that record did not sell very well, Chesney continued to plug away, releasing his second album All I Need to Know in 1995, which earned his first Top Ten country singles (for “Fall in Love” and the title track). After that, Chesney’s ascension to country royalty was set. 

In 1997, Chesney was chosen as the New Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and, in that same year, earned his first #1 single on the Billboard Country Chart with “She’s Got It All.” 

In 2002, Chesney made his massive breakthrough with the album No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem, which not only solidified Chesney’s country music bona fides but also saw him embrace a “beach bum” vibe in the vein of an influence of his, Jimmy Buffett.

BQ In 2004, Chesney completed country music’s “Triple Crown” by winning the ACM Entertainer of the Year for the first time, joined with his New Male Vocalist and Top Male Vocalist (2003) awards. 

Chesney has earned 12 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 11 ACM awards (with five consecutive selections for Entertainer of the Year in 2004-2008, and six Grammy nominations. He’s also one of four country artists with a featured channel on Sirius XM.