Nashville's 4th of July highlights: Chris Young performance, fireworks for 355,000 people

Murfreesboro native country star Chris Young, Nashville Symphony, 40,000 pounds of fireworks, drones highlight Lower Broadway's record-setting night.

Nashville Tennessean

Nashville's downtown "Let Freedom Sing" July 4th festivities on Thursday evening closed with veteran country star and Murfreesboro native Chris Young performing before an extensive, drone-assisted fireworks display soundtracked by the Nashville Symphony that offered a wild display over Lower Broadway in the humid evening air.

The late-arriving record crowd of approximately 355,000 Nashville area residents and tourists were often pleasantly awed by the spectacle, including 400 drones and 40,000 pounds of explosives flying 800 feet into Music City's skies.

"Once again, Music City delivered another spectacular Independence Day celebration, and the fireworks and drone show choreographed to the Nashville Symphony (playing at Ascend Amphitheater) was a highlight," stated Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, via a press statement.

Weather conditions impact 4th of July festivities

In a manner not unlike Zach Bryan's recent headlining concert at Music City's Nissan Stadium, storm conditions and continued triple-digit heat indexes extending late into Nashville's nights were just as significant stars as any multi-genre performers taking the stage.

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By mid-afternoon, Nashville temperatures were already at 100 degrees without humidity. According to the National Weather Service, the day was the third hottest Fourth of July in 75 years, with only 2012 (high of 103) and 1948 (101 degrees) being warmer.

Sweltering crowds along Nashville's downtown streets had misting tents, hydration stations and Red Frogs volunteers with free water available.

Notably, weather impacted the slate of performances during the day.

Young, 2021 "The Voice" champions Girl Named Tom and Dove Award-winning gospel performer Blessing Offor all performed. However, six-time Grammy-nominated, genre-fluid soul-stirrer Yola's scheduled stage time coincided with an afternoon rain shower and thus did not occur.

Chris Young's headlining set for "Let Freedom Sing"

The last time Young took to the stage on July 4 in Nashville was 2021. That event coincided with the previous record for attendance, of 350,000 people, being set.

Notably, too, it's where he and his 2024 performance guest — and fellow Nashville area native — Mitchell Tenpenny premiered their duet "At The End Of A Bar."

That song has become a Billboard No. 1 hit on country radio in the past two years. It was performed from the top-level concourse at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium during 2022's Academy of Country Music Awards. Tenpenny and Young wrote the song in downtown Nashville while bar-hopping during 2020's "Snowpocalypse" and the son's lifecycle has continued four years after that.

It also joined material from Young's "Young Love And Saturday Nights," his ninth studio album, released three months ago. At present, the album's David Bowie "Rebel Rebel"-sampling lead single is a top-ten country radio hit. It would be his 11th Billboard Country Airplay chart-topper if it achieves chart-topping status.

A charitable, lucrative success

"Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th" was the 21st annual celebration produced by Music City Inc. through the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and the 40th in the city. The event's twin goals of entertaining Nashvillians and attracting visitors were successfully achieved in 2023, as 250,000 attendees generated $11.6 million in estimated direct visitor spending.

"Let Freedom Sing!" is partnering with PENCIL (Public Education Needs Community Involvement & Leadership), which links community resources with students and teachers at Metro Nashville Public Schools and will raise funds and collect school supplies to support PENCIL. One dollar from each official event t-shirt sold will go to PENCIL.

To help support PENCIL, household essentials brand and event sponsor Done and presenting sponsor, Dr. Pepper donated school supplies and 500 student backpacks to Nashville area students.