Swift, Shelton, Lambert to Bayou Country Superfest and Beyond
The Memorial Day weekend country music festival in Tiger Stadium gains a day and a star--sort of.
Monday, Festival Productions announced that Taylor Swift would headline Bayou Country Superfest, which takes place March 22-24, 2015 in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Today, the rest of the talent lineup was announced, and Kenny Chesney and Brantley Gilbert will top the March 23 bill, while Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will close the festival on Sunday night.
However, Swift's Friday night show is not officially part of the Bayou Country Superfest. Today's announcement clarified that "Friday May 22, 2015 is a stand-alone event at Tiger Stadium that presents Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour," promoted by Festival Productions BCM with The Messina Group and AEG Live. Swift isn't mentioned on the festival's website, nor is her show a part of festival ticketing.
Monday's announcement was surprising because Swift's 1989 album clearly marks a change in her relationship with country music. The New York Times' Jon Caramanica and Slate.com's Carl Wilson wrote lengthy exegeses on her overt foray into pop--one that frustrated country music industry and radio insiders who saw her as their biggest star. 1989 is the first album in 2014 to sell a million copies.
Bayou Country Superfest continues Festival Productions' seeming infatuation with The Voice. All of the original judges--Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine (with Maroon 5), and Christina Aguilera--have played Jazz Fest. Chesney and Lambert have played the festival before, and Gilbert had a number one hit in 2012 with a song co-written New Orleanian Jim McCormick.
Weekend and tailgate packages for Bayou Country Superfest are on sale now. Taylor Swift ticket sales for American Express card holders and TaylorSwift.com email list members start November 6 at 10 a.m., and go on sale to the public November 13 at 10 a.m.
