A Seven-Year Promise And A Lifelong Dream: Kelsea Ballerini Sells Out Bridgestone Arena In Nashville

With electricity in the air, Kelsea Ballerini is back for the first time in seven years.

Friday night’s show in Nashville was not only a stop on her Kelsea Ballerini Live Tour but the fulfillment of a promise she made to her own team. After headlining Ryman Auditorium in 2018, Ballerini confidently told her team that her next headlining show in Nashville wouldn’t happen until she could sell out Bridgestone Arena.

Jan 31, 2025, marks a huge milestone in her career but also an incredibly memorable night for her fans, family, and friends. Ballerini takes a moment to thank the support there – her mom, dog’s oncologist, team, hair stylist, boyfriend; Chase Stokes, who also had a movie release the same day, close friends and of course, her adoring fans.  

Local talent, Marynn Taylor and Sasha Alex Sloan opened for Ballerini recognizing the magnitude that they too were performing at the iconic stadium as fans were buzzing eager for Ballerini to take the stage. 

Ballerini did not disappoint, opening the show with “Patterns”, from her new album. With her hair flipping and smiling so big you could feel her heartfelt gratitude for filling the room after years of hard work being poured into her longest love, music.

Ballerini’s sweet demeanor was also matched by the power and boldness of her lyrics as she worked through her set that took the audience through the emotional ups and downs and personal experiences of her life. 

While rocking her high heels, Ballerini performed “Miss Me More” singing with no shame remembering “I didn’t wear my high heel shoes, cause I couldn’t be taller than you” now stomping to her own beat.

After boot stomping, the energy softened along with a dusty pink monochromatic low-lit stage, Ballerini sat atop mountains soberly reflecting while performing “Mountain With A View”. The audience felt both the resilience in her relationship challenges, as well as the strong independence that her music embodies today.

It wouldn’t be a Nashville show without a special guest; Ballerini brought out Keith Urban after previously opening for him on this very stage. Harmonizing one of Ballerini’s favorites, “Stupid Boy”, the crowd takes in the full circle moment. 

With the glitter, glam and the ultimate vibe of girlhood Ballerini’s playful choreography and upbeat songs encouraged dancing, singing, and moving with the music. She paid tribute to some of her greatest hits such as “Love Me Like You Mean It”, “Hole In The Bottle”, “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” and “Peter Pan” while also bringing life to her fresh songs off her latest album including “Patterns”, “Baggage”, “First Rodeo” and more. 

The night was as sweet as it was stunning with Ballerini periodically stopping to share just how much this particular night meant to her. She laughed as she reflected on the core memories that lead her to Bridgestone’s stage, from the day she wrote her first song at 12-years-old to moving to Nashville 16 years ago to pursue her dreams. She thoughtfully recognized just how powerful the connection between the songs and her life’s journey is by sharing the trials and tribulations of her story, not once buttoning or buttering up reality. There was strength in the vulnerable moments she touched on but also a sense of celebration with each upswing in tempo, each bounce of a beat and moment throughout the show. 

Ballerini was on fire with stage changes and immersive scenes illustrating the ebb and flow of life; going through the thick of it, being empowered when thriving and also finding a tenderness in each season. 

Ballerini encored with “Penthouse” while fans slowly swayed back and forth singing at the top of their lungs leaving an unforgettable imprint. Ballerini continues her tour with sold-out Nashville shows this weekend and we are already looking forward to the next time she will bring back the electricity.

Tickets available here 

Set List

1. Patterns 
2. Baggage
3. Love Me Like You Mean It
4. HEARTFIRST
5. This Time Last Year
6. IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO) 
7. Hole In the Bottle
8. First Rodeo
9. Blindsided
10. Miss Me More
11. We Broke Up
12. Two Things
13. Mountain With a View/ Interlude
14. Wait! 
15. Cowboys Cry Too
16. Stupid Boy (Keith Urban cover performed with Keith Urban)
17. Beg For Your Love
18. Peter Pan
19. MUSCLE MEMORY
20. I Would, Would You (with snippet of “Lean on Me’)
21. How Do I Do This 
22. Penthouse (ENCOREE)