Jason Aldean plays to 7,000 fearless fans in New Orleans, his first outdoor concert since Las Vegas

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2017/10/jason_aldean_new_orleans_las_v_1.html#incart_2box

"Ill be damned if I'm going to let anyone scare me," country music star Jason Aldean announced to a crowd of more than 7,000 New Orleans fans in Champions Square on Thursday night (Oct. 26). It was the tone Aldean wanted to set for his first outdoor concert since his Las Vegas show on Oct. 1 became the target of a mass shooting that killed 58 people.

"It's been a crazy few weeks," Aldean said, late in his fiery set. He said that he and his fellow musicians, who were forced to flee the Las Vegas stage as shots rained down from a high window in a nearby hotel, thought that it would be tough to return to the spotlight. But "the craziest thing is," he said, playing music "is where we're the most comfortable."

Probably everyone in attendance cast a glance or two at the Hyatt hotel that towers over the outdoor concert venue. But that was the extent of any apparent apprehensions. In fact, when Aldean sang the late Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," it immediately became a sing-along anthem of defiance.

Aldean said proceeds from the sale of his cover of the song will be donated to aid victims of the Las Vegas shooting.