A night to remember at Spark Arena in Auckland, as Country music fans gathered for an electrifying performance by Cody Johnson who is known for his amazing live performances.
With opening acts Wade Foster (Queensland), Ashley Cooke (USA), and Cole Swindell (USA) setting the stage, the audience was primed for an unforgettable evening of honky-tonk energy.
At precisely 9:20 PM, the arena lights dimmed, and the unmistakable opening chords of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck thundered through the venue, sending waves of excitement across the crowd. The Rock anthem’s powerful riffs and iconic chorus set the stage for an unexpected but exhilarating atmosphere with the crowd from the floor to the mezzanine getting up for their seats.
Cody Johnson made his grand entrance with That’s Texas, a heartfelt homage to his home state.
With the backing of a steel guitar and Country Rock melodies, his deep, charismatic baritone transported fans straight into the heart of Country music. His pride was tangible, as he revealed a Texas-shaped tattoo on his chest, symbolizing his unwavering allegiance to his roots. On the big screen behind him, his signature COJO brand logo reinforced his deep connection to the cowboy lifestyle.
Despite battling illness for the past month, Johnson nearly cancelled his Auckland performance due to sickness in Melbourne the previous week. However, he powered through, declaring that he was here because of the fans and to keep Country music alive to the corners of the world
He recalled a time when he never thought he’d perform outside of Texas, making his New Zealand performance even more special.
To reciprocate the energy of the crowd, he invited everyone to join him in singing Dear Rodeo, delivering a breathtaking rendition with an eight-second-high note that left the audience in awe.
His engagement with the crowd was exceptional encouraging them to clap, square dance, and sing along.
A heart warming moment unfolded as a couple danced together throughout the night, adding to the magic of the evening. Johnson proudly proclaimed that Country music was alive and well in Auckland, loud and proud.
Introducing Moonshine Music to the audience which are barroom-style Country songs when the room would sing after five jugs of beer, he shared a humorous backstory about a drunken night that led to the creation of Georgia Peaches.
What initially sounded rough in the morning became a crowd favourite after some fine-tuning in the studio, with fans stomping along in unison.
Johnson consistently acknowledged and appreciated the audience, comparing the night’s significance to his sold-out show of 60,000 in Texas. Though he had spent his entire life in Texas, he had only been to New Zealand twice making this performance uniquely special.
The Fall was a dramatic Country Rock spectacle, keeping the audience on edge as the tempo intensified alongside the vibrant lighting effects.
The set took an even more thrilling turn when Carrie Underwood made a virtual appearance for a duet of, I’m Gonna Love You, projected onto the big screen, adding a cinematic touch to the performance.
The spotlight also shone on Johnson’s talented band members, each given their moment to showcase their skills:
- Joey Pruski (bassist). A long time band member of 14 years
- Jody Bartula (fiddle & backing vocals). Who stole the show many times.
- Harrison Yount dubbed the best player of the most country instrument, the steel guitar
- Seth Wilson (pianist). A former merch guy turned full-time musician, stepping up when the band needed a pianist.
- Jake Mears (electric guitarist). The moustachioed maestro
- Miles Stone (drums). Who fell in love with the instrument at 3 years old.
During The Painter, an unexpected yet heart-warming moment occurred. A fan proposal in the audience, making the night even more special.
As the night neared its end, Johnson’s performance of ’Til You Can’t was a spectacle. His raw, heartfelt delivery reminded everyone why live Country music is an experience unlike any other.
After the final song, he took the time to sign cowboy hats, toss guitar picks, and share gifts with fans, showing his genuine appreciation for their support.
The night concluded with an explosive outro led by the drummer, as the band played Johnson offstage in a fittingly grand finale.
But the audience was still restless and immediately chanted for an encore, where Cody Johnson and the band came back 2 minutes after, where they performed a cover from The Chicks Travelling Soldier alongside Diamond in My Pocket which was one of his biggest hits from his 2011 album A Different Day.
Cody Johnson is a force of nature on stage, holding the crowd in the palm of his hand from the first note to the last.
Dressed in his signature evergreen blue jeans and white cowboy hat, he commanded the spotlight, feet planted wide like a rodeo champion ready for the ride of his life.
But he wasn’t just rooted, he was electric, sprinting from one end of the stage to the other, locking eyes with fans from every corner of the arena. No matter where you sat, the experience was pure magic. There wasn’t a bad seat in the house.
Shoulder to shoulder with his band, he delivered high-energy kicks and jumps, perfectly synchronized with the dazzling light show.
The production was mesmerizing. Sometimes a single solemn spotlight captured a moment of raw emotion, while other times the entire venue exploded in a frenzy of red, white, and blue. Warm tones bathed the stage, mirroring the heartfelt warmth of his music. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, it was about delivering a masterclass in live Country performance.
Johnson and his team orchestrated a spectacle that fit his sound like a well-worn cowboy boot, turning a 1 hour 40-minute show into an experience that felt like it passed in the blink of an eye.
For the 8000 Country fans in attendance, Cody Johnson’s Auckland show was not just a concert, it was a celebration of Country music’s enduring spirit and a testament to Johnson’s dedication to his fans.
Azrie Azizi