Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The first we see Luke Combs, the megastar born in North Carolina walking across the stadium. The cup dropped, with a look of embarrassment on his face, his swing a little slow, a regular Joe sneaking a flashlight on his way to work. Combs is now the world’s best-selling artist of all time, but he wears his success modestly: when he finally arrives on his saloon-themed stage, with nearly 70,000 screaming fans in front of him, he maintains his unassuming presence. “I often ask you how you feel tonight, but I to know how are you feeling tonight,” he smiles.
This week, Combs has racked up half a million plays in just seven days in England, Scotland and Ireland: an incredible feat for an artist who hasn’t had a Top 10 single yet. Not that you’d know, from the way the crowd screams every word to 2016’s whirlwind hit, a tender heartthrob about running into your ex in a bar, pumped up by a music video (“moon went hidin’, stars quit shinin'”) that’s closer to Taylor’s early doors than any country-bro machismo.
Recently named My Kinda Saturday Night, this short tour promises – and delivers – a party. Combs brings us three opening acts, pyro lashings, celebrity cameos, and packing nearly 30 songs in two hours. It’s a great show, but its big moments, like the unexpected-before-it’s-over Tell ‘Em About Tonight, deserve some breathing room.
It’s a shame that the background noise makes it impossible to pick out the words when Combs is speaking, and detracts from his soulful songs, like 5 Leaf Clover. But Combs has one of the most dangerous voices in the country, with an all-powerful, ripping roar and genuine kindness and control, and his hard-hitting ways come through regardless.
His lively band brings an energetic, arena-rock swagger to Back in the Saddle and Beer Never Never Brake My Heart, while the shiny, menacing performance of Where the Wild Things Go calls out to fans on their way home. You’re closer to Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (from Pills song), Combs is shaking with energy, his hands in the air, humility be damned — and rightfully so.
