Luke Combs brings Country thunder to Eden Park. As the crowd eagerly awaited his arrival, the stadium sound tech hit play on Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, igniting an impromptu mass singalong.
By the time the chorus rolled around, thousands of voices drowned out the PA system, their energy palpable. It was a brilliant move, priming the audience vocally and emotionally for the night ahead.
Then the moment arrived. The intro music swelled, the band took their places to scattered applause. Finally Combs strode onto the stage, dressed casually in true country fashion. The roar was deafening. Though the stadium was only about 65% capacity, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
Combs has the everyman charm. He’s the kind of guy you could pass on the street without a second glance.
But when he sings, there’s no mistaking his star power. His voice, rich and commanding, soared across Eden Park as he powered through a set packed with country anthems.
Understanding the Kiwi crowd, he donned an All Blacks cap, a simple yet effective nod to his New Zealand audience.
The band, clearly loving every second on stage, delivered flawless performances with plenty of playful antics.
At one point, the steel guitar player mimed casting an invisible fishing rod toward the bassist, who enthusiastically played along, pretending to be reeled in before breaking into a laugh and a fist bump. The camaraderie was infectious, and the chemistry undeniable.
The audience wasn’t just there for the show, they were the show. Dressed in their finest country gear, these weren’t casual fans but dedicated devotees who had travelled from every corner of New Zealand.
Line dancing broke out in the aisles, cowboy hats were raised high, and the collective joy was impossible to ignore.
As the sun dipped behind the stadium, the stage lights took full effect, illuminating the massive LCD screens in glorious technicolour.
The visuals were breath-taking, their clarity and vibrancy amplifying the experience. However, the sound quality was less than ideal, especially for those in the upper bleachers. Being under a concert overhang muffled the acoustics. The side-on perspective robbed the audience of true stereo sound.
Between-song banter was nearly inaudible, as the line array sound system failed to project Combs’ voice clearly. Many in the audience, me included, struggled to understand what he was saying between songs.
Then came a moment that snapped everyone’s attention back to the stage. Combs strummed the opening chords to Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. The crowd erupted, fully engaged as he delivered a heartfelt version worthy of the original, proving once again why his rendition has resonated so deeply with fans worldwide.
Luke and his band ripped into Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma, a cinematic, high-octane anthem written specifically for the Twisters movie. The song, tailor-made for the storm-chasing blockbuster, was one of the night’s standout moments, packed with grit, power, and expert musicianship.
Midway through the set, Combs took the stage solo with just an acoustic guitar.
The first song was nearly overpowered by the murmur of conversations, but then he played Going, Going, Gone which silenced the chatter as fans stood, sang along, and swayed in unison.
By 9:45 p.m., the entire stadium was on its feet, dancing and singing with reckless abandon.
Then came When It Rains It Pours, a true barnburner that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Lane Pittman Brings Country Fire to Eden Park Ahead of Luke Combs
It’s a long way from Tamworth to the colossal Eden Park, but Lane Pittman made the journey look effortless as he stepped onto the hallowed stage to warm up a sea of Country fans awaiting Luke Combs.
At just 21, the Australian singer-songwriter already carries the weight of a seasoned performer, proving why he’s fast becoming one of the brightest stars in modern country music.
Pittman first grabbed attention as an 18-year-old on The Voice Australia, but it was the 2023 Luke Combs tour that cemented his status as more than just another talent show alumnus.
Clearly, Combs saw something special. Special enough to bring him back for this 2025 tour. And if there were any doubts about his place on that stage, Pittman obliterated them within the first song.
Opening with a fiery rendition of his breakout hit, Pittman wasted no time engaging the Auckland crowd.
His voice, equal parts grit and honey, cut through the stadium’s humid summer air as thousands of boots stomped around. Dressed in classic country threads, denim jacket, dusty boots, and that effortless Aussie swagger, he commanded the stage with the poise of someone twice his age.
But it wasn’t just the voice. It was the stories, the raw honesty in his lyrics, and that genuine down-home charm that had the crowd in his pocket.
Tonight’s set list had the diehards singing along and showcased a depth and maturity well beyond his years. One highlight happened when an Australian fan handed Lane a homemade banner which read Let’s Get Lost Together, paying homage to a track from his self-titled 2024 EP.
Pittman had done more than just open for Luke Combs. He’d left his mark, proving he’s not just along for the ride but carving his own path in country music.
If tonight was any indication, it won’t be long before Lane Pittman is headlining his own stadium tour.
Mitchell Tenpenny Battles the Crowd but Wins Eden Park Over
Mitchell Tenpenny steps out onto the stage at Auckland’s Eden Park dressed in black and sporting a classic Hank Williams Jr. Lone Wolf tour t-shirt.
His songs are well-crafted, and the band is slick. He kicks things off with Started Stoppin’, delivering the line I just started stopping loving you with the conviction of a man who’s lived every word.
Unfortunately, the audience is still chattering, and to make matters worse, the sound system is subpar, allowing background noise to dull his impact.
Ever the showman, Tenpenny doesn’t let it faze him. He’s all smiles, clearly enjoying himself as the crowd numbers steadily increase.
Between songs, he shares stories about his life and experiences, making it clear that every lyric comes from a real place.
One particularly poignant moment comes when he introduces Truth About You, explaining… I had to make a deal with somebody. I said If you quit telling lies about me, then I won’t tell the truth about you. The crowd listens, intrigued, as he dives into the emotionally charged song.
Then comes the turning point, his unexpected cover of Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls. The moment he strums the opening chords a shift ripples through the stadium. Suddenly, the chatter dies down, and thousands of voices join in on the chorus, belting out the lyrics with gusto.
It’s the magic moment every performer hopes for. The crowd, the artist and the song, all in perfect harmony.
By the time Tenpenny wraps up his set, he’s done more than just fill a slot on the bill. He’s fought for the audience’s attention and won them over, proving that even in a challenging live setting, real talent always shines through.
Jordan Davis Delivers a Country-Pop Masterclass in Auckland
Jordan Davis, the third support act ahead of Luke Combs, hit the Eden Park stage like a man on a mission. To bring his signature brand of modern Country to a crowd eager for big hooks and bigger emotions.
Dressed in a laid-back plain white long-sleeved flannel top and blue denim, Davis exuded effortless cool as he launched into his set, his deep, resonant voice cutting through the early evening air with precision. At 36, the Louisiana native is clearly carving his own lane, stepping away from the country uniform donned by many of his peers.
Davis’s ability to blend Nashville storytelling with radio-friendly melodies was on full display.
His between-song banter felt personal, like he was talking to old friends rather than thousands of strangers. He reminisced about the inspirations behind his songs, from heartbreak to his family, striking a chord with fans who connected to his authenticity.
One standout moment came when Davis wandered over to stage left, singing directly to someone who wasn’t immediately visible to the audience.
As he stepped closer and held out his hand, his eldest daughter, Eloise (five), grabbed on. In a touching display, Davis pulled her in for a reluctant cuddle, the five-year-old clearly embarrassed but giggling as she ran back to her mother, who stood side-stage with Locklan and baby Elijah.
It was a loving, intimate moment in the middle of a high-energy set, showcasing Davis not just as a powerhouse performer, but as a devoted family man.
He still managed to command Eden Park with the confidence of a headliner, leaving the crowd primed and ready for the main event.
Swathes of audience members swayed in unison as Luke Combs delved into his classic hits.
The warmth of the country fiddle, steel guitar and precision drum beats wrapping the crowd in a blanket of nostalgia and escapism. His music felt like therapy, lifting spirits, melting away worries, and leaving everyone in the moment, lost in the magic of the night.
As the final notes rang out, the night had transformed into an unforgettable celebration of country music, camaraderie, and pure, unadulterated joy. Luke Combs had proven once again why he’s one of the genre’s biggest names.
Paul Marshall
