UMVA has learned that country-music star Luke Combs brought an unforgettable night to Rogers Stadium on Friday, playing to a crowd of 50,000 fans with an energy that was palpable from start to finish.
The North Carolina singer-songwriter, now touring in support of his sixth record, The Way I Am, seemed to genuinely enjoy the Toronto crowd as much as they enjoyed him, at one point saying, “I like the vibes in Toronto. We’ve been hanging out here the last couple of nights and you guys have it figured out.”
Combs' down-to-earth persona was on full display as he performed in a casual outfit consisting of a New York Knicks baseball hat, a navy short-sleeved buttoned-down shirt, and khakis, making him relatable and endearing to the audience.
As he took the stage, Combs reminisced about his journey, stating, “I dreamed of this,” as he introduced his hit song Tell ‘Em About Tonight, a moment that resonated deeply with the crowd.
The show, which lasted two hours, was a testament to Combs' ability to connect with his fans, who braved a light rain shower that lasted for about half of the performance, equipped with rain jackets and ponchos.
Combs' current My Kinda Saturday Night tour kicked off with the title track, setting the tone for a night of energetic performances and crowd singalongs, with hits like Hurricane, Forever After All, and Beautiful Crazy getting the entire audience involved.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came when Combs performed a heartfelt cover of Tracy Chapman's 1988 hit Fast Car, which he called his “first favourite song,” as the encore to a wildly enthusiastic crowd.
Combs' backing band, The Wild Cards, also shone during the performance, with Combs introducing them by having them play a medley of cover songs, including Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train and Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.
With a style that can only be described as laid-back, Combs let his soulful voice, songs, and bandmates take center stage, accompanied by occasional fireworks and firebursts that added to the electric atmosphere.
Combs is set to return to Rogers Stadium on Saturday night, aiming to set an attendance record for a country headliner in Toronto with a total of 100,000 fans over two nights.
