Music

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims wowed a crowd at Faneuil Hall with a pop-up concert ahead of their sold-out show at Fenway.

By Kevin Slane

July 21, 2025 | 2:19 PM

2 minutes to read

Thomas Rhett claims to have played “most every venue” in Boston during his years-long rise to stardom. So it was fitting that before his sold-out show at Fenway Park on Saturday night, the country star got back to basics with a surprise set on the cobblestones outside Faneuil Hall.

Rhett and his Fenway Park headliner Teddy Swims drew a large crowd on Friday afternoon, standing in a spot just outside of Faneuil Hall frequented by local musicians.

The crowd was big enough that Rhett’s grandmother claimed that she was initially rebuffed by security.

Back in 2013, Rhett became the first country act to ever perform at Fenway Park when he opened for Jason Aldean on the latter’s Night Train tour. Rhett was originally supposed to headline a show at Fenway in 2020, but was forced to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following his Fenway Park set on Saturday (read our full review), Rhett took to social media to explain why this show — and the City of Boston — meant so much to him.

“Pretty sure I have played most every venue this town has to offer,” Rhett wrote. “From the house of blues, to my first tour ever opening for Toby Keith at the Xfinity center, to the home of the patriots opening for Kenny Chesney, opened here twice for Jason Aldean.

“I’ve drank most of your bars outta beer, ate my weight in lobster rolls, tried but failed every time to get a reservation at Neptune oyster, threw my guts up on a whale watching tour, and attended my fare share of Red Sox games,” Rhett continued. “Needless to say this place has always been and always will be one of my favorite places to play shows on the planet. Since day one of my career I have dreamed of this moment. I’m so grateful for how much support yall have shown me for over 15 years. So If I said I love you too many times last night, it’s because I’m not sure how to fully express how much this city means to me.”

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