Luke Combs delivered a top-class country extravaganza at Eden Park, showcasing his musicianship and charisma.
The crowd enjoyed performances by Lane Pittman, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Jordan Davis before Combs took the stage.
Combs' set included hits like Fast Car, Hurricane, and a surprise solo rendition of an unreleased track.
Review
It’s a fitting coincidence that a man who professed his deep desire to play for the All-Blacks last time he was in town now had the opportunity to play a gig at their home stadium.
Even more fitting was that he donned an All-Blacks cap for the whole gig, and my word, what a gig it was.
Luke Combs and his friends delivered a top-class country extravaganza, packed with pitch perfect musicianship, heartfelt stories, and a party atmosphere that I reckon could’ve left some wanting to book the next flight to Nashville.
Donning the cap of our national rugby team was a fitting tribute to Combs' host stadium. Photo / Corey Fleming
As expected, Eden Park was awash in stylish country fits, and the relatively all ages crowd really did dress to impress.
The vibe was good, the beer was flowing, and friends new and old, young and young at heart were discussing the night ahead.
A spur shaped stage greeted eager cowboy boot and hat wearing patrons, and electronic signs around the venue indicated that Luke’s “bootleggers” (his fandom) were ready to party.
They were treated to a party all right, one that proved Aotearoa’s love for country music is stronger than it’s ever been.
Aussie teen Lane Pittman, a Voice Australia alumnus who’s been making waves in Nashville, kicked off the proceedings in superb form, a rising star to watch for sure.
Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny, oozing with charisma and charm, then belted out his catchy country-rock ballads like there was no tomorrow, clearly enjoying the love from the doting Kiwi crowd.
A flawless cover of Iris by Goo Goo Dolls had the whole crowd singing and showcased Tenpenny’s powerful pipes, and if the crowd’s reception was anything to go by, we’d gladly have him back for a solo show.
Just before the main man Combs made his entrance, the stage exploded with the effortlessly cool energy of Louisianan-born Jordan Davis.
Sunnies on and belting out hits like Damn Good Time and Whiskey Weak, the country stalwart signed hats, greeted fans, drank from a red solo cup, and played the ultimate party host for his fiery forty odd minutes on stage.
Then came a Combs themed sizzle reel. A young boy behind me leapt to his feet, as did his older brother, waiting for their idol to take the stage. It was time to take the party up a notch.
Fears he wouldn’t match the energy in a larger venue went swiftly out the door from the moment he and his pitch-perfect band hit the stage, his booming voice belting out hits like Must’ve Never Met You and Lovin' On You with rip-roaring intensity in a 10-odd minute flourish.
Luke Combs charmed the crowd pf thousands at Eden Park with his charisma and cheeky smile. Photo / Corey Fleming
Strutting the stage with charisma as cool as a cucumber with his iconic red solo cup of beer, you could tell Combs was ready to make the first night of his Australasian tour one to remember.
“I was nervous, but I ain’t nervous no more,” the singer said soon after, revealing this was the first time in a few months he’d taken to the stage.
Combs, a self-described “college dropout” had humble beginnings, playing shows in bars and theatres and clubs trying to break into the Nashville scene.
“I’d never been on a plane till I was 25 and here I am playing in Auckland New Zealand,” he said, clearly not believing the sheer scale of growth country music has had here.
While sometimes the crowd was so loud that it was hard to hear what Combs was saying, he took plenty of time to tell us about his life, his loves, and why he writes the songs he does.
Brand New Man had most of those seated up on their feet, and I even think I spotted a few in the GA section attempting to line dance.
“One of my favourite things I’ve ever done is write this record,” Combs said before covering hits from his latest offering Fathers & Sons.
“I didn’t write it for success, I wrote it so my boys could have something to remember”.
Like many of the other artists tonight, the fact thousands of country-loving Kiwis had turned up wasn’t lost on the singer, who said it was “pretty F***g awesome” and “means the world” that people spent their hard-earned money to come see him.
As a special treat to show his appreciation, Combs even took his guitar and gave the crowd a solo rendition of an unreleased track.
“I ain’t no cowboy but I wish I was,” the singer crooned as the doting crowd latched on to every word.
Another surprise was a cover of Ed Sheeran’s Dive, a touching tribute to his close collaborator who also filled Eden Park a few years back.
After a singalong band medley featuring Drops of Jupiter by Train, it was time for Combs to get something off his chest.
2019/2020, he said, was a period where he was “making too many love songs,” but they went down an absolute treat under the blissful setting sun of Eden Park.
Couples and friends draped their arms around each other and sang their hearts out to Forever After All and wedding favourite Beautiful Crazy.
Combs even brought out one of his crew, revealing he’d got married in New Zealand just four days ago.
“Luke Combs hits me right here,” a man behind me told his partner while pointing to his heart. Mate, I couldn’t agree more.
Combs and his team had high production value, but it was never overshadowed by his humble, down-to-earth nature. Photo / Corey Fleming
Then came arguably the most anticipated moment of the night, Combs' chart-topping cover of Tracey Chapman’s Fast Car.
While I struggled to hear the full story while Combs teased the iconic guitar riff (perhaps I may have been to too many gigs and could be going deaf), I did catch that the pair exchanged a heartfelt call after performing together at the Grammys.
It was flawless execution from the star, who then proceeded to kick it up a notch with hits like Hurricane, Cold As You and When It Rains It Pours (luckily it didn’t).
Beer is a prominent recurring theme in Combs' discography, and the last few songs made me feel like I was back on my mate’s Florida property, attending a tailgate watch party like I did in 2019.
The crowd went absolutely ballistic when a boot full of beer was chugged by Combs in an impressive shoey, and they went even more ballistic when he kicked his iconic red solo cup over, splattering a delighted front row.
A three-song encore started with love song Better Together, followed by Twister soundtrack smash hit Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma.
In summary and in the ever-true words of his 2019 album, it really is “What You See Is What You Get,” with Combs.
Family man and friendly face Luke Combs quenched Kiwi's country thirst. Photo / Corey Fleming
Hit after hit, he took us on a journey that expertly gave us a taste of why he’s one of country music’s best and brightest.
He wears his heart on his sleeve, guitar on his shoulder, and dons a cheeky smile that you can’t help being captivated by.
There’s no denying that Combs is a master storyteller, his lyrics conveying beautifully crafted explanations of his life, loves and losses packaged in catchy riffs.
But amid the gloss and chaos of the bright lights and screen, we were really just watching a humble, talented, good-spirited, family man who loves country music.
This is a guy who knows his roots, knows his feelings, and generally knows how to have a bloody good time and make others feel good too.
The distinct twang of The Kind of Love We Make was the last straw for my quickly failing voice, and I’m sure many others felt the same.
I entered Eden Park a casual country music fan, and after witnessing this masterclass, left fully converted. Luke Combs is definitely the Guy For That.
