Paisley to play free show at university on Oct. 13

Country star Brad Paisley will perform a free concert at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Oct. 13. The concert is presented by University of Nebraska Athletics and its multimedia partner, IMG.

The Country Nation College Tour, presented by Frontier Communications, will roll into Lincoln for an on-campus show in parking lot 8 north of Memorial Stadium. The stage will be on the north end of the lot and face the north end of the stadium. Parking lot 8 will be closed from 6 p.m. Oct. 12 through Oct. 13.

The concert is free. Students, faculty and staff of the University of Nebraska system will be given priority admission with a valid ID on a first-come, first-served basis. Identification cards from UNL, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Kearney will be accepted. These individuals can line up on Ed Weir Track, northeast of Memorial Stadium, beginning at 3 p.m. The track’s east and west entrances will be open. Priority admission will begin at about 5:30 p.m. A limited number of students will be allowed in the section directly in front of the stage, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Any additional spots will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. These lines will start northeast and northwest of the stadium. These concertgoers can begin lining up at 4 p.m., and the gates are expected to open at 6 p.m.

University of Nebraska Athletics appearances will begin at about 7 p.m., with opener Brett Young taking the stage around 7:30 p.m.

Paisley has already made stops at the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, West Virginia University and Ohio State University, with additional stops scheduled at the Air Force Academy, East Carolina University, University of Connecticut, University of Kansas and UCLA.

“We are thrilled to be one of nine stops for this year’s Brad Paisley Country Nation College Tour,” said University of Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst. “The energy and enthusiasm surrounding our campus and Lincoln is at an all-time high. Brad Paisley will bring that same energy and enthusiasm to our amazing community and his performance will connect, entertain and inspire our students. We are looking forward to a great night right outside Memorial Stadium.”

Classes will be in session on Oct. 13. Students, faculty and staff should plan for extra time to arrive at campus destinations that evening.

Limited public parking will be available on campus beginning at 4 p.m. Areas that will be available to the public include the parking lot by the Champions Club, the parking lot at 10th and U streets, Stadium Drive Garage, the parking areas on Memorial Mall east of the stadium, the parking lot north of the 501 Building, the parking spaces on Stadium Drive south of T Street, the 14th and Avery garage and the parking lot west of the 14th and Avery garage. Each vehicle will be charged $5. There will be no charges for vehicles with current university parking permits in designated campus areas. All other campus parking rules will be enforced, including posted handicapped and no-parking areas. Additional parking is available for $5 per vehicle through the city in the Larson Building, 1317 Q St.; Que Place Garage, 1111 Q St.; Market Place Garage, 925 Q St.; and Haymarket Garage, 848 Q St.

To accommodate concert setup, lanes will be closed on Stadium Drive and Salt Creek Roadway from 6 p.m. Oct. 12 through Oct. 13. Two-way traffic will continue on Stadium Drive. Salt Creek Roadway will be reduced to one lane eastbound.

Bags larger than 13.5 inches by 10 inches by 7 inches will not be allowed in the concert area. Security will use containers at the entrances to measure bags.

The following items are prohibited in the concert area: guns, knives, bags larger than security containers, glass, cans, coolers, beverage containers, video cameras, folding chairs, open umbrellas and pets. People will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicles, hotel room or home. Bags and other items that pass size restrictions are allowed but are subject to search. Other items are subject to being prohibited at the discretion of concert management.

Alcohol will not be permitted at the concert or elsewhere on campus. Athletics will have concessions available for purchase inside the concert area. Portable restrooms will be available inside the concert area.

A section for disabled guests will be available on the raised area immediately north of Memorial Stadium, and emergency medical services will be on site.

Paisley’s “Country Nation” single, from his album “Moonshine in the Trunk,” debuted in 2015. Written by Paisley and longtime collaborators Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, the song is a celebration of the college spirit and America’s passion for sports that weaves in shout-outs to 18 college sports mascots.

Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards. He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 20 of his 23 No. 1 hits, including “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “Mud on the Tires,” “She’s Everything,” “Water” and “Remind Me.”