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Introduction
George Strait’s Coolness and Chris Stapleton’s Intensity Create a Perfect Pairing at Gillette Stadium
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, hosted a powerhouse country music lineup featuring headliner George Strait, with special guest Chris Stapleton and opening act Parker McCollum. The concert delivered a memorable evening that showcased the enduring appeal of country music’s “King” alongside the raw, soulful intensity of one of its most celebrated modern voices.
The show proved that the seemingly contrasting styles of George Strait’s laid-back, traditional country coolness and Chris Stapleton’s blues-infused, gravelly intensity actually complement each other remarkably well. The evening was a masterclass in diverse country sounds, appealing to a wide range of fans.
Chris Stapleton’s Set: Chris Stapleton took the stage around 7:20 PM, delivering a commanding performance that highlighted his incredible vocal range and powerful songwriting. His set was a dynamic mix of fiery, rock-tinged anthems and more introspective, soulful ballads. Highlights from his performance included:
- “Bad As I Used To Be”
- “Midnight Train to Memphis” (The SteelDrivers song)
- “Arkansas”
- “Worry B Gone” (Guy Clark cover)
- “Nobody to Blame”
- “Millionaire” (Kevin Welch cover)
- “Parachute”
- “It Takes a Woman”
- “Think I’m in Love With You”
- “White Horse”
- “Cold”
- “Starting Over”
- “Second One to Know”
- “Hard Livin'”
- “You Should Probably Leave”
- “Traveller”
- “Fire Away”
- “Broken Halos”
- “Tennessee Whiskey” (David Allan Coe cover)
Stapleton’s ability to seamlessly transition from hard-hitting tracks like “White Horse” and “Outlaw State of Mind” to the pure vocal power displayed in “Cold” left the audience captivated.
George Strait’s Set: George Strait, taking the stage around 9:15 PM, brought his signature effortless charm and a vast catalog of hits. His performance was a testament to his status as the “King of Country,” offering a perfect blend of upbeat, fiddle-driven classics and heartfelt, steel-guitar-laced narratives. Strait’s setlist demonstrated his longevity and continued relevance in country music, featuring songs from across his illustrious career, including tracks from his 2024 album “Cowboys and Dreamers.”
A notable moment of the evening was when Chris Stapleton rejoined Strait on stage for several songs, further illustrating the strong musical chemistry between the two artists. These collaborations included:
- “Cowboys Like Us”
- “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing”
- “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” (a song penned by and featuring Stapleton)
Other highlights from George Strait’s extensive setlist included:
- “Twang”
- “Check Yes or No”
- “Run”
- “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls”
- “I Can Still Make Cheyenne”
- “Here for a Good Time”
- “Three Drinks Behind”
- “Waymore’s Blues” (Waylon Jennings cover)
- “The Weight of the Badge”
- “The Little Things”
- “Ocean Front Property”
- “I Saw God Today”
- “The Fireman”
- “The Chair”
- “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar”
- “MIA Down in MIA”
- “I’ll Always Remember You”
- “Give It Away”
- “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” (Waylon Jennings cover)
- “Amarillo by Morning”
- “Troubadour”
- “Unwound”
For the encore, Strait returned with:
- “Codigo”
- “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”
- “Pancho & Lefty” (Townes Van Zandt cover)
- “Take Me to Texas”
- “The Cowboy Rides Away”
The concert at Gillette Stadium reaffirmed the unique and successful dynamic between George Strait and Chris Stapleton. Strait’s consistent, timeless appeal, combined with Stapleton’s powerful and emotionally charged delivery, created a truly unforgettable night for country music fans.
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