Photos by Renee Clark Quade, Review by Rebecca Clark
Luke Bryan brought his high-energy performance and infectious country charm to Syracuse as the first stop on his “Country On” tour.
As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted in cheers as Luke Bryan took the stage opening the show with his twangy yet poppy song, “Kick the Dust Up.” The excitement from the fans was intense and set the tone for an incredible night ahead.
Luke’s playful nature shone through as he greeted the audience before belting out “Knockin’ Boots,” letting out a playful growl/purr to the delight of his fans. He showcased his musical talent by picking up his guitar for the third song, amusingly mentioning that he had encountered some unfamiliar bugs in Syracuse, even swallowing a big one by accident.
Keeping the momentum going, Luke treated the crowd to a string of hits, including “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” and “What Makes You Country.” He also unveiled a new song, “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” expressing to the Syracuse crowd that they were the first to hear it performed live.
Luke’s guitar skills took center stage as he played more frequently throughout the show than he has in the past, infusing his country sound with soulful melodies. His banjo player delivered an impressive solo during the lively performance of ” Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” adding an extra layer of excitement to the mix.
With each song, the crowd grew more animated, singing along to favorites like “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” and “I See You.” Luke humorously acknowledged again the pesky bugs buzzing around him, joking about swallowing a hundred of them and how it interrupted his intermittent fasting.
Luke has such a huge song catalogue that he featured a mashup of some of his songs “Games” and “What She Wants Tonight.” Luke had his acoustic guitar in hand to add layers to “Down to One” and “Roller Coaster.”
Luke Bryan’s performance of “Buy Dirt” was a memorable moment as he invited two of his opening acts Chayce Beckham and Tyler Braden to join him on stage. Together, they created an electrifying atmosphere, showcasing their musical chemistry and leaving the crowd wanting more.
As the night progressed, Luke kept the energy soaring inviting his direct support opening act Alana Springsteen to join him, Beckham and Braden to sing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”
Wrapping up his mini set with his opening acts, Luke transitioned into a snippet of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion,” playfully incorporating his own unique style. The crowd erupted in excitement when he transitioned into his smash hit, “One Margarita,” with a fan-donned pair of Margarita sunglasses and taking a sip of a large margarita before passing it to an ecstatic fan.
Luke’s powerhouse performance continued with crowd favorites like “Rain Is a Good Thing” and “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” punctuated by his signature growl/purr that always ignites the crowd. He even paused during “Play It Again” to graciously sign a lucky fan’s sign, showcasing his genuine connection with his audience.
As the concert neared its end, Luke Bryan surprised the fans by changing up the traditional setlist, leaving them on the edge of their seats. The encore began with Luke donning a stylish jacket and delivering an electrifying performance of “That’s My Kind of Night.” The crowd went wild, and one enthusiastic fan tossed a bra on stage, which Luke playfully whipped around.
In a heartfelt moment, Luke expressed his gratitude, proclaiming his love for the fans and thanking Syracuse for their unwavering support throughout the years. As he signed memorabilia on his way off stage, he left an indelible mark on the hearts of his fans in Syracuse.
See photos from the show below:
