On one of the warmer Fridays of the summer, Luke Combs returned to Brisbane, marking his fifth visit to Australia.
Fans gathered in droves at Suncorp Stadium (24 January), ready to kick off his Australian leg of the tour. With cowboy hats, boots, and plenty of country flair, it was clear that this was no ordinary Friday night – this was a celebration of country music, and Combs was the headliner.I arrived at the venue at 4pm, well ahead of the 4.30pm gate opening, but the lines were already wrapping around the stadium. Despite the humidity and heat, fans waited eagerly, determined to secure the best spot in the mosh pit. By the time the gates opened, the rush was on, and the excitement was palpable as fans sprinted to get as close to the stage as possible.
The night kicked off with Lane Pittman from Tamworth, Australia's country music capital. With his mullet and undeniable stage presence, Lane set the tone for the evening.
His energy and charisma were the perfect warm-up, and the crowd responded enthusiastically to his performance.
Lane Pittman - image © Jayden Guarnaccia
Next up was Mitchell Tenpenny, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Tenpenny and his band brought the heat with an electrifying set, performing fan favourites like 'Drunk Me', 'Truth About You', and more.
As the sun began to set and the stadium filled up, the crowd was getting amped for what was to come.
Mitchell Tenpenny - image © Jayden Guarnaccia
When Jordan Davis took the stage, it was to a roaring cheer from the crowd. With hits like 'Buy Dirt', 'Next Thing You Know', and 'I Ain't Sayin'', Jordan delivered a set that was full of passion and southern charm. As his performance came to a close, it was clear the crowd was more than ready for Luke Combs to take the stage.
At 7:45pm, just as the energy in the stadium was peaking, a storm warning sent fans scrambling for shelter. Only 15 minutes before Luke's performance was scheduled to commence, the storm hit briefly but hard. Credit to the stadium staff for keeping everyone informed and safe, and by 8:05pm, the all-clear was given, and fans rushed back to their seats in anticipation.
Jordan Davis - image © Jayden Guarnaccia
At 8:24pm the lights went out, and a massive cheer erupted from the crowd of 50,000 strong. A few moments later, the familiar Hammond organ riff of 'Sweet Caroline' echoed through the stadium. Fans lit up the night with their phone-lights, singing the classic anthem at the top of their lungs. It was a magical moment, setting the stage for the main event.
Shortly afterwards Luke Combs and his band took to the stage, and the crowd exploded. He kicked off with 'The Kind Of Love We Make', the energy in the stadium electric. The crowd had waited two years for this moment, and Luke was giving them everything they'd hoped for.
Luke's performance was a celebration of his growth as an artist, playing to a much larger crowd than his previous Brisbane shows. His set featured a perfect mix of upbeat anthems and slower ballads, including 'Cold As You', 'Where The Wild Things Are', and fan favourites like 'Forever After All', 'Beautiful Crazy', and 'Goin' Goin' Gone'.
During a number of moments onstage, Luke acknowledged the Australian crowd, expressing his gratitude for their support. He mentioned that when he first came to Australia, he never imagined country music was so widely loved outside the southern US, but every visit has proven him wrong. "Country is everywhere," he said.
Luke Combs - image © Jayden Guarnaccia
A heartfelt moment came when Luke shared the story of how a trip to Texas changed his life – meeting his wife, Nicole. This led into the touching song 'Houston, We Got A Problem', written about their whirlwind romance.
However, that wasn't all. Luke also gave his band members a chance to shine, letting each of them perform a solo mid-set. His guitarist took the mic and delivered a surprise performance that felt like his own concert. The crowd went wild, and the energy was infectious.
Following the solo moments, Luke performed 'Beautiful Crazy', and then the crowd was treated to something special – his cover of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car'; as soon as the first notes rang out, the stadium came alive with fans singing along.
This moment was a perfect lead-up to the show's big finish as Luke and his band closed the night with 'She Got The Best Of Me' and his breakout hit 'Hurricane', sending the crowd into a frenzy of dancing and singing.
Luke Combs - image © Jayden Guarnaccia
As the encore approached, Luke gave one more nod to the rain that had briefly interrupted the show earlier with 'When It Rains It Pours'. The song's irony wasn't lost on anyone, and the crowd soaked up the energy as the song came to a close. Luke thanked the crowd, saying he would see them the next night, and walked off stage, leaving the audience in darkness.
The night wasn't over yet. Luke and his pianist returned to perform 'Better Together', a beautiful moment of intimacy before the stage exploded with electric energy for 'Ain't No Love In Oklahoma', my personal favourite. The crowd was buzzing, the lights flashing red and white, and the stadium was rocking.
The final song of the night, 'Beer Never Broke My Heart', had the entire stadium on their feet, dancing, shouting, and singing along, making for an unforgettable ending. Luke Combs' return to Brisbane was everything fans could have hoped for and more.
The night was a celebration of country music, community, and the incredible journey Luke has had as an artist. If you're heading to one of the upcoming shows, you're in for a treat. The combination of Luke's heart, his band's talents, and the enthusiastic Aussie crowd created a night that will be remembered for a long time to come.
More photos from the concert.
