Brad Paisley will headline the just-announced Live From the Drive-In concert series, taking place July 10 to 12 in three cities, including Nashville. The concert event, which will also take place in Maryland Heights, Missouri and Noblesville, Indiana, will be headlined by Brad in all three cities. Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi will also perform in Nashville, while rapper Nelly will take the stage in the Missouri location.
“We’re really dialed in with partnerships with (the) local jurisdictions (and) we’ve been meeting with them for months, just talking about how we can provide a great, comfortable experience to fans with social distancing at the forefront in whatever phase they’re about to enter,” Tom See, President of Live Nation Venues –– US Concerts, said (via Billboard). “Because of those relationships and that communication going back and forth, we’ve been successful in getting that green light.
“It was really important to us not to just do one and be done,” he added. “It wouldn’t be Live Nation. It wouldn’t be the concert industry leader. We wanted to make a bigger statement.”
For the concerts, a maximum of four people will be allowed per car. Cars will park in the parking lot at each venue, with two empty spots between each vehicle. Concertgoers are advised to bring their own food, drink and chairs, and are encouraged to wear masks upon arrival. In addition, venue staff will wear masks, and tickets will be scanned via windows, without any contact.
Food and non-alcholic drinks will be available for purchase online, with the items delivered to their designated tailgate zone. Fans can only leave their area to use the single restrooms, which will be cleaned regularly throughout the show.
Brad is eager to return to the stage, even if the concert might look a bit different than the ones he has done in the past.
“I’m very excited to do this because I wanted to make sure, if we were going to do anything like this, that they had the important stuff worked out,” the “No I in Beer” singer said. “My goal would be not to spread this virus to one person. There should be no spread from this. That’s key. I just don’t think it’s worth doing shows if we’re putting people at risk.”
“The idea that we’re outdoors is a great thing,” he continued. “I just think it’s a fun way to watch a concert anyway. It’d be fun if there wasn’t a virus.”
Although different, Live Nation believes this option is the best right now, allowing fans to enjoy live music while keeping everyone safe at the same time, and promises they are doing everything they can to make it an event to remember.
“The traditional drive-in, I get it, you’re stuck in your car, and you’re going to get it through an FM transmitter. That’s not happening with these shows,” Tom said. “We’re giving you what’s about the size of a double-car garage to where you’re going to be able to park your car, get out of your car, and have a great tailgating hang for you and your friends, and listen to music through proper professional PA and amazing audio and video display. It’s really a different aspect of drive-in and live. It’s highly experiential.”
The Nashville show will take place at Nissan Stadium. Brad will headline the Saturday night show in Nashville, while Jon will perform on Friday night, and Darius will wrap up the weekend with the Sunday night show. Tickets are available here.