Luke Combs - Paul Was There

Paul Was There
Luke Combs (Part 1)
Live at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Friday 17 January 2025
Live Music Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
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
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.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Read the Full Live Review of this show here:
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