Review: Luke Combs is forging a country music revolution after epic Suncorp Stadium show
Grammy nominated artist Luke Combs has created a new wave of country fans across the globe - and next time he comes back to Brisbane we might need a bigger stadium, writes Shayla Bulloch.
Entertainment
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Country music isn’t just getting played in small town pubs anymore, it’s selling out stadiums - all because of Luke Combs.
Grammy nominated and multi-award winning country music artist Luke Combs has created a new wave of country fans across the globe, especially in Queensland.
He touched down in the Sunshine State this week ahead of his sold-out performances at Suncorp Stadium - a part of the world he admitted he never thought his music would touch.
I was lucky enough to see Combs at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 2023 when his concert sold out in about 0.25 seconds - sending fans across Queensland (and the country) spiralling at the thought of missing out on his Aussie tour.
So hearing he was taking his 2025 tour to The Cauldron was music to every Combs fans’ ears.
Finally, loyal Queenslanders were in with an actual chance of scoring tickets.
But the country music juggernaut did it again.
Combs sold out two shows in the state’s biggest stadium in a matter of minutes. He could have easily sold another 50,000 with his legion of loyal fans Down Under.
They turned out in droves on Friday night, with R.M Williams boots, denim jeans, Ringers Western shirts and trucker caps everywhere you looked.
People had flown in from all corners of the state to witness the North Carolina superstar in action, but in true Queensland style an afternoon storm almost stopped it all.
Combs’ appearance was thankfully only delayed about 15 minutes before the clouds parted.
He got the crowd going with everyone’s favourite pub song, Sweet Caroline, before amping things up.
The honour of two sold out shows definitely wasn’t lost on Combs.
Combs, 34, was met with a roar of excitement as he leapt out on stage with a grin from ear to ear - sporting a heritage Broncos cap in true Brisbane form.
He blasted open the show with The Kind of Love We Make, followed by hit after hit, practically giddy at being on that stage.
“Country music is everywhere,” he told the crowd.
“I don’t care if you’re black, white, tall, short - if you’re here tonight you’re my kinda folk.”
It felt like Combs barely took a breath, squeezing in 24 songs in his two-hour set including crowd favourites Forever After All, Hurricane and Houston We’ve Got a Problem.
Suncorp gave Combs room to stretch his creativity as he gave the crowd light shows with big hits like Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma and Beer Never Broke My Heart.
But he’s a no fuss performer, with no pyro or too much theatre getting in the way of his vocals and incredibly talented band.
And it wouldn’t be a Luke Combs concert without a proposal during Beautiful Crazy.
Congrats to those lovebirds in the mosh.
My only gripe is that he didn’t play anything from his latest album, Fathers and Sons, which has been on repeat during every car trip with my husband since its release last year.
But in true Combs style, we got our beloved shoey - but fittingly out of a cowboy boot.
Combs was everything you’d hope for - big hits, intimate moments, and the classics you can sing along to.
Even if you aren’t a fan of country music, you can’t deny that Combs is an entertainer at heart.
He just might need a bigger stadium for next time he visits.
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