Even through winter temperatures and rainy skies, Luke Combs successfully turned Penn State’s dreary weather into an exhilarating springtime experience at Beaver Stadium. Thousands of screaming fans, many of whom were State High students, were able to turn a regular weekend into a once-in-a-lifetime concert.
Ever since Combs’s debut single, “Hurricane”, the American country singer has taken off. Winning countless awards, one being back-to-back “Billboard Music Award for Top Country Artist” in 2019 and 2020. Since then, the star has continued to gain traction with his most recent and successful album release, “Gettin’ Old”, which is performed on Combs’s tour, “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old”.
“What made this concert really special to me was being a part of Luke Combs’ biggest crowd ever,” sophomore Paige Moriarta said about the concert.
While some may claim that nothing quite compares to the vibes a rap or pop concert creates, many believe that country music only enhances when performed live in front of thousands of eager fans. Furthermore, no concert at Penn State could top performers like Drake and Zach Bryan. Many still believe that the atmosphere during a good country concert is not like any other.
“The best aspect, in my opinion, would be everyone singing together and just enjoying his songs. I was just the most perfect place to be,” freshman Kara Rhinehart said.
For country music listeners who aren’t the biggest fans of Luke Combs, the “Gettin Old” tour still has something to offer all country music fans or just music fans in general. Before Combs took the stage, world-renowned performers Cody Jinks, Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Hailey Whitters, and Drew Parker, helped create a mood. Having a set list that offers fans multiple different singers, allows fans to appreciate country music in a more broad sense.
When attending the concert, State High students seemed to have differing opinions on what the best song performed was.
“My favorite song would have to be ‘Forever After All’ because it’s just a classic and I have always loved that song since it came out,” Rhinehart said.
Freshman Francesca Rhoades said, “My favorite song performed was “Where the Wild Things Are” because I just really like listening to that song.”
No matter what your favorite song performed from the concert, all can agree that Combs was able to keep fans engaged and joyful till the very end.
Throughout the 23-song set list, Combs started off with a bang, performing “The Kind of Love We Make,” followed by many fan favorites like, his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” and his encore, “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
Even though all can agree that Combs produced an outstanding performance at Penn State, fans claim that the thing that made this concert more memorable than any other was the people they were able to experience it with. Agreeing that “there is just something about country music,” that makes this concert so much more memorable than other in the past.
“This concert was really special because I really enjoy Luke Combs and his songs but even more so because I was able to spend time with my family and friends,” Rhinehart said.
Combs entered Penn State with not the most ideal concert weather but left fans with satisfaction and true happiness of a quality concert and newly found memories.
