Lee Brice Headlines the Music City Kickoff at Ascend Amphitheater
Football weekend in Nashville just got a soundtrack. On September 5, Lee Brice headlines the Music City Kickoff Concert at Ascend Amphitheater, joined by Gabby Barrett and Payton Smith, for an outdoor country night on the banks of the Cumberland River. It is the perfect way to kick off a big weekend in town.
Who Is Lee Brice?
Lee Brice is one of country radio's most dependable hitmakers, a South Carolina native with a stack of chart-topping singles and a gift for the kind of big, heartfelt anthems that fill an amphitheater. He is also a songwriter's songwriter, having penned hits for other artists before becoming a star in his own right. On stage he is warm, unpretentious, and built for a crowd singalong, which makes an outdoor summer show right in his wheelhouse.
Why This Show Is Worth It
This is a stacked bill. Gabby Barrett brought a powerhouse voice and crossover appeal to country, and Payton Smith rounds out a lineup that gives you a full evening of music rather than a single headliner and filler. Add the setting, an open-air riverfront venue on a September night, and you have the ideal recipe for a Nashville concert: good weather, cold drinks, and a crowd that knows every word. Tie it to the Music City Kickoff football festivities and the whole weekend has an event feel.
The Venue: Ascend Amphitheater
Ascend Amphitheater is downtown Nashville's premier outdoor concert venue, tucked along the river in Metro Riverfront Park with the skyline as a backdrop. It offers reserved seating down front and a grassy lawn behind it, so you can choose between locked-in seats or a laid-back blanket-and-lawn-chair evening. The sightlines are strong, the vibe is relaxed, and on a clear night it is one of the most pleasant places in the city to hear live music.
Before and After the Show
Ascend's downtown location means you are close to everything. The SoBro neighborhood immediately around the venue has plenty of restaurants and bars, and Lower Broadway's honky-tonks are a short walk north if you want to keep the party going after the encore. Grab dinner before you head in, since the riverfront area gets busy on show nights. Gates typically open a couple of hours before the headliner, so there is time to settle in on the lawn.
Getting There and Parking
Downtown garages and surface lots surround the venue, but riverfront parking goes quickly on event nights, so arrive early or use a rideshare drop-off. If you are staying downtown, walking to Ascend is simple and skips the parking scramble entirely.
Get Your Tickets
An outdoor country show with a strong supporting lineup on a September evening is about as Nashville as it gets. If you want in for Lee Brice, Gabby Barrett, and Payton Smith at Ascend on September 5, grab your tickets now and find the full event details on Nashvegas.
