How did the Academy of Country Music fill a football stadium? With not one, not two, but three different stages.
Kelly Clarkson.Getty
Because the show was streamed on Prime Video, there were no commercials. To accomplish a constantly-running program, the show had multiple stage locations.Kelly Clarkson, for instance, sang “I Will Always Love You,” herincredibly moving tributeto co-host Dolly Parton, on the main stage;Maren Morrisperformed on a stage on the third level of the 65,000-seat stadium;Kane Brownand Parmalee (with Blanco Brown and Brooke Eden) performed in the center of the stadium on the same stage that artists were accepting awards on.
Maren Morris.Getty
Naturally, two stages were always being taken down and set up for the next acts while the other stage was in use and entertaining streaming viewers. It was truly 100 yards of country music.
Check out PEOPLE’s full ACM Awards coverage to get the latest news on one of country music’s biggest nights.
Parmalee, Blanco Brown and Brooke Eden.Getty
The ACM Awards were a COVID-19 safe zone. All ticketed guests were required to provide proof of vaccination ahead of their arrival at the show. Security officers stood just outside the gates to make sure every attendee had the jab.
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With so much ground to cover, the awards used Allegiant Stadium’s digital banners to add ambiance to the performances. During Chris Young and Mitchell Tenpenny’sAt the End of a Bar, the digital ring around the arena was lit up with multicolored beer and liquor bottles. Likewise, when Walker Hayes played his earwormFancy Like, lyrics from the song ran across the banners. Now that’s fancy!
Chris Young and Mitchell Tenpenny.Getty
After the cameras were off, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce twice hugged tightly and bowed down to each other after singingtheir music event of the year-winning hit"Never Wanted to Be That Girl." McBryde didn’t realize at the time she was bowing down to the woman who wouldeventually be crowned ACM female artist of the year.
Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde.Getty
At most award shows, the celebrities sit in the front and rarely mingle with the crowd. At the ACMs, the celebrities sat in the middle, allowing fans to get a glimpse of them throughout the show (depending on your seat). Some fans were even lucky enough to get up close and personal at times.
After Brothers Osbornetook home the award for duo of the year, they walked through the crowd on the floor, hugging and high-fiving complete strangers who had high-priced tickets.Yellowstoneactress Kelsey Asbille even took a few quick photos with fans as she walked through the crowd aftershe presented an awardwith costar Luke Grimes.
Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Brittany Aldean and Midland congratulate Brothers Osborne.Getty
Luke Bryan.Getty
Fun fact: as Barrett’s flawless tribute to Lee Ann Womack was being shown,Carrie Underwoodwas seen singing along while waitingto perform ACM single of the year"If I Didn’t Love You" on the main stage withJason Aldean.
The ACMs didn’t skimp on the pyrotechnics. Although viewers were able to see pyro during several sets, they didn’t spot just how sparkly the show really was. During Aldean and Underwood’s song, perfectly-timed pyro was going off in the stands just out of the camera view (and just far enough away from the spectators).
Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood.Getty
Also, if it looked like fireworks were going off behind Thomas Rhett as he performed “Slow Down Summer,” you would be correct… However, those fireworks were being launched outside of the stadium, whereas Thomas Rhett was inside. Like Morris, Thomas Rhett played on the third level of the Raiders' home stadium, which is completely indoors.
Thomas Rhett.Getty
source: people.com
