Grammy-winning country artist Chris Stapleton will perform Feb. 27 and 28 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., drawing fans from across the state, including Sacred Heart University students.
The concerts are part of his “All-American Road Show” tour. Stapleton is known for his vocals and a different blend of country, blues, and Southern rock. Since releasing Traveller in 2015, he has earned multiple Grammy awards and built a large and loyal fan base.
Fans can expect a setlist featuring his hits such as “Tennessee Whisky,” “Broken Halos,” “Starting Over” and “You Should Probably Leave.” His concerts focus on live instrumentation and emotional delivery rather than elaborate stage production.
For many Sacred Heart students, the concert’s proximity makes it especially appealing. Sophomore Natalka Petroff said she and her friends immediately decided to go once they learned the arena was about an hour from SHU.
“My friends and I knew we had to go to his concert especially when it is so close to our school,” said Petroff.
Petroff, a long-time country fan, says that Stapleton stands out within the genre.
Source: Instagram, @chrisstapleton
“I am so excited to attend the Chris Stapleton concert, I have always wanted to see him perform, because in my opinion, he is one of the best artists out there,” said Petroff.
Although Petroff has attended many concerts, this one feels extra special to her.
“I have been to several country concerts, but Chris Stapleton has always been on my bucket list, so I am really looking forward to it,” said Petroff.
Stapleton’s appeal extends beyond longtime listeners to newer country music fans. Sophomore Bella Palmiotto said she began exploring the genre beyond mainstream radio hits.
“I am kind of new to country music, I have heard a lot of more mainstream artists and enjoyed them. But once I looked more into it, I became more interested,” said Palmiotto.
Palmiotto said that by listening to artists outside of the mainstream, she gained a greater appreciation for country music.
“I have heard a few songs by Chris Stapleton that I really enjoyed,” said Palmiotto.
Palmiotto said Stapleton’s music caught her attention, even while still learning about him. One aspect of country music especially sticks out to Palmiotto.
“I think what got me into country music was the storytelling every song has whether it be happy or sad,” said Palmiotto.
Sophomore Ethan Hoerning said that country music has been his favorite genre for as long as he can remember.
“I have been listening to country music since I was much younger and have always been a really big fan of it,” said Hoerning.
Hoerning said Stapleton has remained one of his top artists over the years.
“I really enjoy a large variety of country artists, but Chris Stapleton has always been one of my go to artists, and one of the best in my opinion,” said Hoerning.
He added that versatility is one of the genre’s strengths.
“Country music has such a wide variety of songs that can fit any mood, which I feel a lot of other genres don’t have much of,” said Hoerning.
With two nights scheduled in Uncasville, Stapleton’s return reflects continued demand for live country music in Connecticut. Fans attending the shows can expect an evening centered on musicianship and storytelling at Mohegan Sun Arena.
