What to know before you go: Chris Stapleton at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
A near-capacity crowd is expected Thursday night for Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
The show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Ticketmaster.com has a few tickets for sale or resale, beginning at $82 per seat and going up to a few hundred dollars, plus fees.
Concert-goers would be wise to arrive early because of the big crowd expected and ongoing construction near the amphitheater: Jack Warner Parkway remains closed between Greensboro and 21st avenues, though one eastbound lane is still open for businesses on the south side of Jack Warner Parkway in the area.
Here's what else you need to know before you go:
The weather
Check the forecast before you go: The National Weather Service's prediction for Thursday does include the chance of a late afternoon shower or storm, as is usual for this time of year. The last few amphitheater shows — the Black Crowes, the Tedeschi Trucks Band and the Fourth of July Celebration on the River — all have had rain delays of varying length, so bring a poncho since umbrellas are not allowed inside the amphitheater.
Fans can expect a warm summer night, with temperatures in the low 80s when the show begins and falling into the 70s when fans will be leaving the amphitheater.
Parking
Concert-goers can park under the train trestle, west of the Amp, and in on-street parking spaces throughout downtown Tuscaloosa. Free shuttles will run from the Tuscaloosa Intermodal Facility, at 601 23rd Ave., adjacent to Government Park. The free 445-space, 24-7 four-level parking deck will have shuttles running from one hour before gates open, and continuing until patrons have cleared out.
The east and west lots right next to the venue require pre-arranged parking credentials. The box office parking lot (east) is also open for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking. Vehicles must have appropriate credentials.
Upcoming concerts: Kem, Stokley and Leela James to play the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Bag policy and prohibited items
New metal detectors, similar to those used at the University of Alabama athletic events, will make entry smoother. Patrons won't have to empty phones or keys from pockets, unless the detector is set off. The clear-bag policy is still in effect, so those may be checked a little closer.
Prohibited items include umbrellas, outside food or drink, cameras with removable lenses, aerosol cans, coolers, picnic baskets, fireworks, chairs, illegal drugs, laser pens and pointers, noise-making devices, non-clear bags, musical instruments, skateboards or skates, motorized vehicles, video cameras or other recording devices, weapons of any kinds, drones, posters and signage (except as approved by the artist), and personal property that presents a potential hazard to others, along with any other items deemed inappropriate or dangerous by the city of Tuscaloosa.
Opening acts
Country-soul-rock-blues singer Elle King scored her biggest success with Top 10 hit "Ex's & Oh's," a swing-romp double-platinum hit spanning rock and pop charts, from her 2015 debut disc "Love Stuff." She's also cut a 2018 studio album, "Shake the Spirit," and a pair of EPs. Other singles that broke Top 10 include "America's Sweetheart," and a 2021 duet with Miranda Lambert, "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)."
Texas-raised Madeline Edwards likewise blends influences, including jazz, soul, gospel and country. Her single "The Road" has earned one million streams, and she's at work on her debut album.
The headliner
Chris Stapleton played the Amp in 2018 and 2016 as headliner, with that first show selling out in less than two hours. He had been in Tuscaloosa at least once before as singer for bluegrass group The Steeldrivers, who played the Bama Theatre in 2008.
The singer-songwriter scored big crafting hits for others before launching his solo career with the breakthrough 2015 debut disc "Traveller," which went triple platinum. He wrote or has co-written a string of No. 1 country hits, including Kenny Chesney's "Never Wanted Nothing More," Darius Rucker's "Come Back Song," Josh Turner's "Your Man," George Strait's "Love's Gonna Make it Alright," and Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer."
The Academy of Country Music named Stapleton its Artist-Songwriter of the Decade. He's also won eight Grammys, 10 ACM awards, and 14 Country Music Association awards, while working with artists ranging from Justin Timberlake to Pink, Dierks Bentley to Adele, Brad Paisley to Sheryl Crow, Santana to Taylor Swift, and Vince Gill to Peter Frampton.
Following "Traveler," he's cut three more studio albums, "From a Room Vol. 1" and "From a Room Vol. 2," released in May and December of 2017, respectively, and the 2020 "Starting Over," all topping country charts, and selling gold or platinum.
His hit singles include "Traveller," "Nobody To Blame," "Parachute," "Either Way," "Broken Halos," "Millionaire," "Starting Over," and "You Should Probably Leave." A cover of "Tennessee Whiskey" with Timberlake went No. 1 after their co-performance at the CMAs. They also co-wrote and cut "Say Something," which went Top 10 in several countries, selling multi-platinum.
Stapleton's songs have been featured in movies including "Valentine's Day," "Hell or High Water," "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip," and "Country Strong," and he's twice been the featured musical guest on "Saturday Night Live."
After Thursday's Tuscaloosa show, Stapleton is scheduled to perform Friday at the Wharf in Orange Beach and on Saturday in Brandon, Mississippi.
Upcoming amphitheater shows
Tickets for these shows are available through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Amphitheater box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway.
? July 21: Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Conner Smith, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $159.50 general admission in the pit; reserved seats at $159.50, $129.50, $109.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, and $39.50, plus fees.
? Aug. 12: Fantasia, Babyface, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50, and $29.50, plus fees.
? Aug. 29: LANY, Surfaces, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $69.50, $49.50, $39.50, and $29.50.
? Sept. 2: Kem, Stokley, Leela James, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 or $29.50, plus fees.
? Oct. 13: Whiskey Myers, Read Southall Band, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $65, $55, $35 and $25, plus fees.
? Oct. 19: Travis Tritt, Chris Janson, War Hippies, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $125, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 and $29.50, plus fees.
For more information on all of these shows, go to www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Chris Stapleton at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater: Know before you go