Luke Combs Announces 2023 Gillette Stadium Show
Luke Combs will bring a massive tour to the home of the New England Patriots next summer.
Hot off two eventful nights in Bangor, Luke Combs has announced his tour plan for next summer. The massive world tour includes a stadium stop in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The show at Gillette Stadium is set for July 22, 2023. The show will have an incredible line-up of performers. On the bill is Riley "Duckman" Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Brent Cobb.
Tickets go on-sale to the general public September 16.
Luke was Bangor last weekend for a memorable two night run. I was asked to cover the Friday night festivities for Country Aircheck. My full review is below:
Luke Combs Returns to Bangor:
It’s a good thing Maine Savings Amphitheater doesn’t have a roof, because it would have been blown clear off. Luke Combs began his Middle of Somewhere Tour Friday night, in Bangor, Maine. The two-night run of shows sold-out in mere minutes back in May. There was a buzz of anticipation in the air as fans eagerly found their seats.
The lights rolled down on the stage as AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” thunderously clanged through the venue, as Morgan Wade and her band walked out. Wade’s 2021 Reckless record was the root source of her first-ever show in Maine. The “Don’t Cry” singer’s, gritty yet ascending voice, instantly grabbed the ears of the thousands in attendance.
Her time on stage was highlighted by an electric performance of “Mend Me,” featuring a dazzling guitar solo. The set wrapped with a passionate rendition of Wade’s “Wilder Days.” By the crowd reception, she should return to Maine on a headlining trek.
Next up was Mitchell Tenpenny, who didn’t waste a single minute on stage. From the first note, to the last, M10 gave his all to the passionate sea of fans. The set began with a sizzling performance of “To Us It Did.” Featured during his set was Tenpenny’s work with Chris Young, “At The End Of A Bar,” which recently climbed to No. 1 on country radio. What might have been the most outstanding cover of the night was a fiery, hard rockin’ rendition of Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red.” M10 pushed through his fan favorite “Alcohol You Later,” and first No. 1, “Drunk Me.” The set concluded with a hot-blooded performance of “Bitches.”
Now, the main event. The venue lights suddenly went dark; AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” shakes the ground, lights flash and strobe, as the seven-piece band takes their place on stage. The audience is thunderous with cheers as Luke Combs makes his third appearance on the waterfront venue stage – this time as a headliner. The show gets underway to the tune of “1,2, Many,” featuring Luke effortlessly shotgunning a Miller Lite. The sold-out crowd passionately sang along as Luke ripped through his resume of No. 1 hits, including “When It Rains It Pours,” “Cold As You,” “Doin’ This,” “One Number Away,” “Does To Me,” “Forever After All,” and others. An impassioned performance of tour’s namesake proceeded a moment that would steal the show.
Two young boys held up signs explaining that they stacked massive amounts of firewood to earn the money for their tickets. Luke being a man of his people, noticed their efforts, and rewarded them. Sitting on the edge of the stage, Luke pulled out his wallet and gave they young fans $140 to “repay” them for their tickets. The now forever fans were treated to autographs and a meet-up with Luke after the show. Luke Combs, the people’s champ.
A reoccurring theme with Luke’s music, is fans can never get enough. Once he shares unreleased music, whether on his social media or in concert, the footage ripples through his fan base, who instantly demands a studio cut of the song. Add “Five Leaf Clover” to the list of unpublished works that fans need, yesterday. Although unreleased, word for word the song was sung back to Luke who stood on stage with only a guitar, as he soulfully sang through the love song.
After a moving performance of “Going, Going, Gone,” it was time to “meet the boys.” Highlighting the astounding members of his band, Luke took a backseat as the band broke into a medley of their favorite songs, including, Shenandoah’s “Two Dozen Roses,” “Chattahoochee” from Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks “Ain’t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up.”
Luke was back in the forefront as he ripped into his boot stompin’ tune “Any Given Friday Night.” It was full throttle to the end of the set with “She Got The Best Of Me,” and “Lovin’ On You.” The crow erupted as Luke leaned into a cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man.”
There may not have been a single arm in the crowd that didn’t have goosebumps when Combs emotionally sang “Beautiful Crazy.” One would have struggled to hear Luke over the crowd singing every, single, word.
“Hurricane” would wrap the night, or so it seemed. Luke would return for an encore featuring a fiery performance of “The Kind Of Love We Make,” and a suds soaked serenade of “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
Luke Combs brought a super-star performance to a sometimes-overlooked market of passionate Mainers. He was reimbursed with non-stop song-along participation from a sea of “day one” fans, and likely many new fans. It was a night that truly lived up to the reputation Luke has made for his live shows.