Luke Bryan new king of Rodeo
Singer’s blazing energy propels him to top tier
It’s Luke Bryan’s rodeo. We’re just boot-scootin’ through it.
Bryan strutted into Thursday night’s RodeoHouston as the fastestselling show of the season. Tickets were snapped up as soon as they went on sale.
Latecomers flooded social media looking for extras.
His fifth time on the revolving stage drew 75,082 paid attendance.
It makes him the only act with four shows in the all-time top 20. (He also drew 75,000-plus from 2013-2015.)
The charge was palpable throughout the aisles. The crowd was louder. The merchandise and beer lines were longer.
Even the lights seemed brighter.
“This is one of the most exciting things we do all year long,” Bryan said. “It’s a dream come true to get to do what you love for a living, and you guys make that possible.”
Bryan’s appeal, aside from the hip swivels and skin-tight jeans, is his unflappable energy.
He and his band charged through the set with force and fire during “Rain is a Good Thing,” Kick the Dust Up” and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.”
The show was wellpaced for a Rodeo set, hitting maximum swoon levels during “That’s My Kind of Night” and “Country Girl (Shake it for Me).” Even the slower moments — “Crash My Party,” “Play it Again,” “Roller Coaster” — were cranked to a 10.
The crowd picked up every chorus and sang along.
Cell phones glowed from almost every seat during wistful ballad “Drink a Beer.”
New single “Huntin,’ Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” was an epic display of guitar wails.
He interpolated his own “Home Alone Tonight” with George Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away.”
It was a fitting homage from the new king of RodeoHouston.