Luke Bryan rang in his 49th birthday with a bang, bringing his Country On Tour to Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina on Thursday, July 17. The hour-and-45-minute set delivered hit after hit, his signature charm, and undeniable proof that at 49, he’s still got it.
Taking the stage just before 9:15, Bryan was preceded by a montage of highlights from his rise to fame playing across the giant screens: Farm Tours, stadium shows, red carpets, national anthem performances, award shows, and clips from American Idol, all set to Aerosmith’s “Love In An Elevator.” As the music faded and the lights dropped, the arena erupted as Bryan stepped into the spotlight, flashing his signature smile.
He kicked off the show with his 2012 chart-topper “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” then kept the momentum going with fan favorites like “I Don’t Want This Night To End” and “Kick the Dust Up.” True to form, he threw in a few of his signature hip-shaking dance moves, adding to the crowd’s excitement.
“It’s my damn birthday out there tonight,” he proudly shouted from the stage, but the real birthday celebration didn’t come until later in the show.
The hits kept coming with fan-favorites like “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” “One Margarita,” and “Country Song Came On,” only slowing things down for heartfelt moments like “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” and “Crash My Party.” As always, “Drink A Beer” was a standout, with fans hugging and swaying to the emotional lyrics.
In honor of his birthday, homemade “Happy Birthday” signs filled the arena, including one massive sign that caught his attention, stretching several yards across the floor.
“Where did the sign go? Sh**, I want it back,” he said.
As a group of fans rushed to get their sign back up, Bryan quipped, “I’m so happy I get to celebrate my 35th birthday with y’all.”
Amused by the sign, Bryan joked that the group must’ve done a number on Hobby Lobby while making it and asked how long it took. He then made his way to the end of the catwalk to get a better look, playfully teasing that they spelled his name wrong.
“Where’s the E? It says Luk! Have y’all recycled this sign?”
All jokes aside, the five-time Entertainer of the Year then got real with fans, opening up about his recent health struggles and revealing that he battled COVID just a few weeks ago.
“So three weeks ago, I got COVID…and I had to cancel some shows and now I’m back. I’m not a hundred percent, it’s still kicking my a**. And you know what? I don’t give a sh**. When I can sing, I’m gonna sing. And when I can’t, y’all are going to sing. All right? And you’re going to see me hack. I can’t take any more medicine, I can’t do anything else but just try to breathe. We’re gonna have fun tonight, we’re gonna make the most of it.”
Despite still recovering, Bryan kept his word, giving the South Carolina crowd all he had and making the best of the situation.
Another birthday moment unfolded when Bryan’s touring crew surprised him with silly videos on the screens, while other crew members and tour openers Drake Milligan and Avery Anna rushed the stage bearing “gifts,” including a hockey stick, a pineapple, a jar of moonshine, a giant L, and more.
After a few jokes about the pineapple, Bryan tossed it into the crowd and made his way to the piano for a solo moment. There, he delivered a heartfelt medley that included covers of Adele and Lionel Richie, followed by his own hits “Strip It Down,” “Buy Dirt,” and “Do I.”
The final portion of the show found Luke Bryan in his true element, cranking up the energy and working every inch of the stage. He saved some of his biggest hits for the end, including “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Rain Is a Good Thing,” and “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” leading the capacity crowd in a massive sing-along.
Despite a few minor vocal hiccups, Bryan delivered a memorable performance, something fans have come to expect from him. Nearly two decades into his career, he still commands the stage with ease and proves time and again why he’s one of country music’s top entertainers.
Luke Bryan’s Country Song Came On Tour runs through mid-September.
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