Kenny Chesney [ tickets ] and openers Rascal Flatts [ tickets ] gave further credence Wednesday (6/9) at Glendale Arena to the theory that all country stars really want to be rockers.

The Phoenix-area stop of Chesney's Guitars, Tiki Bars + A Whole Lotta Love tour, in support of his latest album, "When the Sun Goes Down," was bookended with nods to rock music. As Chesney prepared to take the stage at approximately 9:30 p.m., overhead speakers blared a medley of songs by rockers such as Kid Rock and AC/DC.

The curtain dropped after Chesney--wearing a sleeveless shirt, tight jeans and black hat pulled low--was introduced via videotape by his idol Jimmy Buffett.

Mid-show, Chesney paid homage to Buffett with a cover of "Cheeseburger in Paradise," during which he was joined onstage by a hometown friend, Indianapolis Colts star Peyton Manning, who sang back-up vocals. On previous tours, the 6-foot 4-inch Manning has towered over the diminutive singer while playing guitar.

The evening wasn't all covers. Early on, Chesney began his show with his songs "Young" and "Live Those Songs" (which he followed up by yelling, "muah!").

Chesney also referenced the cancellation of his previous show, June 6 in Wichita Falls, TX, due to acute vocal strain.
"You can tell we're alive and kickin,'" he told the approving audience.

The setlist included Chesney's new single, "I Go Back," but the singer primarily stuck with his older material, including the perennial summer favorites "She's Got It All," "The Good Stuff" and "Don't Happen Twice."

Chesney explained that the hit "Back Where I Come From" has personal meaning for him.

"This is one of my favorite songs," he said. "It's slowly and surely become an anthem for us out here on the road." As he sang, video screens showed clips of Chesney in his hometown of Luttrell, TN, as well as other hometown remembrances.

Chesney was received well by the sold-out crowd. Young girls locked arms and swayed as he danced across the stage. He garnered rabid applause when, during "No Shoes, No Shirt (No Problems)," the trio of video screens acting as backdrops flashed scenes of him shirtless on a boat with his bandmates.

Chesney and his band were just as energetic as the crowd. The singer repeatedly punched the air and ran along the stage, slapping hands with fans in the front rows.

To end the show, Chesney brought out second opener Uncle Kracker [ tickets ] to join him on their duet "When the Sun Goes Down." They duetted again during the encore, this time on Kid Rock's "Cowboy." (Prior to scoring hits like "Drift Away," "In a Little While" and "Follow Me," Uncle Kracker served as Kid Rock's DJ.)

Uncle Kracker's vocals were album-ready during the encore, but his 30-minute opening set was plagued by muddy sound. Nonetheless, the crowd was accepting, joining him on a singalong for the cheatin' song "Follow Me."

The sound was corrected so abruptly during Rascal Flatts' hour-long set that the audio improvement stunned several in the audience. The band, which won the Academy of Country Music Awards' prize for top vocal group in May, opened the song with "Love You Out Loud," from their latest effort "Melt."

With a wall of lights behind them, Rascal Flatts --Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney--energized the crowd with their barrage of hits. "Mayberry" and "I Melt," both from the album "Melt," were particular crowd favorites.

Rascal Flatts' hour-long set had a decidedly '80s feel. They ended their show with a medley of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name."