Luke Combs battles the Brisbane elements to bring the years biggest party to Suncorp Stadium

On Friday afternoon Brisbane’s Bruce Highway became jammed on all sides, as swarms of ticket holders descended on the city while CBD commuters fought to get out. Congesting every conceivable entry towards Milton’s Suncorp Stadium, fans were queuing early for the first stop on country mega star Luke Combs’s record breaking stadium tour of Australia.

While the sun dipped and the mercury ran high, the usual herd of Bronco’s jerseys on Caxton street were replaced with big hats, flannel shirts and cowboy boots. In 1997 when Garth Brooks sold out New York’s Central Park to a record breaking 980,000 people, the assumed benchmark for country music’s American rise was set. Internationally though, Luke Combs’ first Brisbane show felt like Australia’s own chapter in a similar story—a sign of the genre’s undeniable mainstream appeal, exponential growth and gravitational pull.

With Luke Combs joined by a talented supporting line up, and coming off the back of 2024’s Fathers & Sons, it was time to see what the fuss was all about.

Thanks in large part to the aforementioned congestion, this reviewer arrived just as Australian opener Lane Pittman wrapped up his set, catching only the tail end of his mulleted, jean-jacketed silhouette marching offstage. From the buzz in the lines for water on my way in—essential in the sweltering Queensland humidity—it sounded like he’d kicked off the night with plenty of energy.

Mitchell Tenpenny stepped up next, his thick Nashville drawl breaking through the muggy air. “How we doing Brisbane? It’s hot as shit out here!” he exclaimed, instantly winning over the crowd who surely agreed. What stood out immediately was how polished Tenpenny and co were—booming drums and tight guitars cut cleanly through the notoriously tricky acoustics of Suncorp.

Whether it was the infectious “Alcohol You Later” or his cover of Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” to close his set, Tenpenny and his band prove years of graft in Nashville pay off. A solid showman, blending humour, great lyrics, and a booming voice that filled every corner of the stadium, if there were any newcomers to the man they’d surely be fans now.

By the time Jordan Davis strode onto the stage the crowd was well and truly fired up as the sun finally set. His easy charm and laid-back energy set the tone, as he marched through a charming collection of well crafted tunes. The attentive crowd bought into each phone-light tribute and raucous singalong on cue. Davis has an ability to bridge the modern sound with traditional country storytelling, and his visuals—bright lights and cinematic backdrops—added an extra layer to his performance.

Like a mini country festival, the curtain raisers had their own headline worthy polish, while the crowds reaction proved the new wave of country is no fluke or Yellowstone cosplay fantasy. The fans are all in, super star or support act, and the mania is real.

As Davis exited the stage to end his set, lightning and thunder hit the open air stadium fast and hard. As the rain pelted in buckets, the house lights came up and a voice rang out for the fans to make way to the exits. With an emergency evacuation, the show was delayed.

Groans, mumbles and stubborn faces abounded as the heavens opened up above, the cooler weather the only reprieve to the situation.

Fans took the delay in stride, as games of bowling with Bundaberg rum cans began on the now empty plastic flooring, impromptu Mexican waves rang out to the sounds of DJ Ötzi and The Bellamy Brothers “Hey Baby” and pockets of cheers suggested similar impromptu pass times occurring all through the stands.

After an anxious 20 minutes, the PA announced a return to our seats and the crowd staggered back to position, the heat taken from the air and peace restored. It was time for the show.

As the stage went dark, a rumble of kick drums thumped through the air like a pulse through the chest. The band emerged as the enormous video screens beamed their introduction, the screams and cheers deafening.

As Luke Combs appeared at centre stage though, the thunderous rapture of applause truly hit its peak. Wasting no time, the artist kicked off his set with “The Kind of Love We Make”. The crowd returned the bands immediate high energy with a stadium wide party of dancing and singalongs. From the opening exchanges, it was clear that country music isn’t just alive down here—it’s thriving. Growing. And Combs is leading the charge.

Proving a powerhouse performer, Combs’ often raspy and equally soft vocal twang effortlessly blended together through each catchy anthem and belted ballad, always hitting the sweet spot. His band proved equally potent in their musical prowess, with not a missed beat or bum note all night.

Despite lacking the eccentricities of shows on a stadium scale, Comb’s proves that the song is the boss. Backup dancers, laser shows and pyrotechnics are no substitute for the right song at the right time, and it seems that Combs and his band have an unending supply.

Songs like “Where the Wild Things Are” had the crowd stomping along, while “Houston, We Got a Problem” brought voices out from far reaching corners of the stadium. Highlights abounded with the southern rock, guitar riff heavy “My Kinda Folk” meeting the intersection of a stripped-back acoustic moment in “Even Though I’m Leaving”.

His wonderful cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” brought out a few tears while closing number “Beer Never Broke My Heart” sent the crowd into a final frenzy, cementing the evening as unforgettable. It’s hard to say how much fun you might have all the way at the back of a 52,000 seat stadium for any gig, but the middle of the floor to base of the stage seemed to be having as much fun as those high in the rafters.

Between songs, Combs is the unassuming, humble gentleman from Asheville, North Carolina depicted on the tin. Despite the tens of thousands of screaming maniacs in the palm of his hand, Combs manages to connect like an old friend in the few minutes between songs. Sharing his love for Australia and surprise at country music’s universal appeal, the man still seems surprised to be where he is.

“If you’re in here tonight, you’re my folk,” he declared, to deafening cheers. Which might be more true than he knows. Despite Comb’s superstar status, the artist was kitted out in a subtle retro Brisbane Bronco’s cap, black button up and cream chinos. That’s to say you’d easily mistake him for a Caxton Street regular. But maybe that’s the secret to all this. The honesty, the lack of pretence and the focus on really great tunes might be one piece in the puzzle that has made Brisbane and Sydney rank amongst the top cities streaming Comb’s music, and placed Comb’s atop countries pyramid. Folks like us.

With a voice that can quiet a stadium and an energy that can ignite it, Combs delivered one of the most memorable performances Brisbane is likely to see this year. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a dragged-along first-timer, it’s impossible to leave a show like this without some of the magic coming with you. Whether its the crowd, the electric atmosphere or just the handful of songs stuck in your head, its simply a good time. It carries a vibe that’s unmatched and on a scale that few can replicate.

But this isn’t some over-the-top circus act; there are no trapeze artists or dancing clowns. Instead, it feels like the best night at your favourite dive bar, scaled up for 50,000 people. Imagine an unstoppable jukebox in the corner, spinning hit after hit, where every song feels like it’s been handpicked to keep the energy alive and the drinks flowing. It’s the playlist that fuels unforgettable nights where strangers become friends and heartbreaks feel a little softer, and the hours fly by too fast. And it might just be the greatest advertisement for Wrangler jeans by a country mile.

Ultimately, despite the scale and grandeur of this Australian tour, there’s nothing indulgent or pretentious about a Luke Combs show. He’s a performer who knows exactly what his audience wants, and he delivers it in spades. No frills, kick ass country music and singalong crowd service at its absolute finest. Consider the sceptic in me defeated. If I didn’t before I certainly “get it” now. If this is the future of country music, sign me up for the ride.