The popular music duo called the crowd at JPJ one of the best ever. (Photo illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)
The John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia was full of concertgoers in cowboy boots and fringe on Friday night.
Thousands of people arrived for night two of country-pop duo Dan + Shay’s “Heartbreak on the Map” tour, which featured opening acts Hailey Whitters and Ben Rector. The crowd even included some neon cowgirls wearing pink light-up Stetsons – a nod to “Neon Cowgirl” off Dan + Shay’s most recent album, “Bigger Houses.”
The Grammy-winning pair are known for their hit songs “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber) and “Tequila.” Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney are also coaches for the 25th season of the singing competition show “The Voice.” They are the first coaching duo in the show’s history, and join returning coaches John Legend, Reba McEntire and Chance the Rapper. “The Voice” is currently airing on Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC.
Before taking the stage Friday night, Smyers and Mooney made some time to hit the practice gym at JPJ to shoot some hoops.
During the show, the two lauded Charlottesville and concert attendees, who sang along to every song.
“This is the craziest show we’ve played so far in our careers,” Smyers said.
Rector also gave Charlottesville and UVA special shoutouts, including a new verse in his song “Loving You Is Easy.”
“I think this is one of the finest universities in the U-S-of-A,” Rector sang.
Between the show and the UVA women’s basketball game against Virginia Tech Sunday night, it was a busy weekend at JPJ. Nearly 12,000 attended Sunday’s game – the highest attendance ever for a women’s basketball game in Virginia.
Dan + Shay’s concert was just part of this spring’s lineup at JPJ. Country artists Kane Brown and Sam Hunt are slated to perform in the arena, as well as the exhibition basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters. Need something fun to do with the kids? The spring events wrap up with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.
University News Associate Office of University Communications
aberry@virginia.edu 434-924-6861
December 20, 2024
