Luke Bryan’s tenth studio album, “BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE” was released back in 2020, a full tour to follow with special guests Morgan Wallen as the opener and Caylee Hammack on the first half and Runaway June and the last half of the tour.
Due to COVID the tour was cancelled and pushed to 2021 where Morgan Wallen was taken off the tour and Dylan Scott was added. The tour was renamed the, “Proud To Be Right Here” tour.
Luke was performing at three different venues in California. We went to the San Bernardino, Glen Helen Amphitheater stop on the tour which was the final tour date.
We arrived early for our VIP package. To read the article you can CLICK HERE. - https://backstagecountry.org/blog-1/luke-bryan-vip-knockin-boots-expierence
This venue is gigantic, 65,000 seats which meant - sold out! We were six rows behind the pit and had incredible seats where we could see the acts perfectly.
Runaway June opened the show. The band is made up of - Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne and Natalie Stovall. They are best known for their hit, “Buy My Own Drinks” which ranked high on year end charts: US COUNTRY AIR PLAY for Billboard and US HOT COUNTRY SONGS for Billboard as well as ranking high on weekly charts.
Courtesy of For the Love of Music
They were such a high energy band and kept the crowd entertained and hyped us up for Dylan Scott and Luke Bryan. Their setlist was a great setlist as they even added new songs of theirs:
Lipstick
American Girl (Tom Petty cover)
T-Shirt
Down The Middle
Buy My Own Drinks
Runaway June ended their set with patriotism singing a cover of, “America The Beautiful”. Runaway June is definitely one of the classiest and talented acts I have ever seen. During, “Buy My Own Drinks” members of Luke Bryan’s band came on dressed as Cooke, Wayne and Stovall as a end of tour prank and played alongside them.
Courtesy of For the Love of Music
Dylan Scott came on next - he is best known for his song, “Nobody” and “My Girl” both number one songs on Country Radio. Dylan came out ready for a party and the crowd showed up. Scott’s setlist included fan favorites as well as:
Hooked / I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas cover)
Nothing to Do Town
Beer Buddies
Static
Desperado/ Nobody
Fishin’ in the Dark / I Like It, I Love It, I’ve Got A Quarter In My Pocket / Dust on the Bottle / Check Yes or No (Covers)
When You Say Nothing at All (Keith Whitley cover)
In The End / It’s My Life (Linkin Park cover & Bon Jovi cover)
New Truck
My Girl
Scott made it his own show which I really appreciated. An incredible setlist and just as incredible covers. He’s definitely a great entertainer. During the performance of his newest single, “My Truck” his band photographer came on stage in a toy truck with a ‘Happy Birthday’ balloon on it since Scott’s birthday was coming up.
“Nobody” - Dylan Scott, Videography by Backstage Country
The time came and Luke Bryan took the stage opening with, “That’s My Kinda Night,” the rumble of the bass and the energy of the crowd made the entire show come alive. This being the first time seeing Luke, it was absolutely incredible. He has being an entertainer running through his blood. He kept the crowd cheering, jumping and singing a long the whole concert - two hours!
Courtesy of For the Love of Music
That’s My Kinda Night
Rain Is a Good Thing
What Makes You Country
Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day
Knockin’ Boots
Kick The Dust Up
Waves
Down to One
One Margarita / When The Sun Goes Down (Kenny Chesney cover)
All My Friends Say (with Dylan Scott and Runaway June)
Down on the Farm (with Dylan Scott and Runaway June)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (with Runaway June) (Cyndi Lauper cover)
Courtesy of For the Love of Music
Luke Bryan gave the crowd to Runaway June and Dylan Scott separately again so they could sing to a sold out crowd. Runaway June sang, “Buy My Own Drinks” and Dylan Scott sang, “New Truck”.
Drunk On You
Do I
Crash My Party
Roller Coaster
Strip It Down
Drink a Beer
Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset
Move
Play It Again
Country Girl (Shake It for Me)
encore
I Don’t Want This Night to End
“All My Friends Say” || Videography Backstage Country
About the Venue: This is the most unorganized venue making it really confusing. I probably would have bought Irvine tickets if I had known how bad the venue was. Parking was extremely difficult and we were thankfully dropped up but pick up/leaving the venue was just as bad. The stage and seating were the best thing about this venue.
Seats: We enjoyed the show from ORCH2, Row J. They were just foldable seats but there wasn’t much sitting. The pictures don’t do it justice but we had great seats.
Sound: FANTASTIC! Luke made a comment that he wanted the local In N Out to be able to hear us and I’m sure they did, but I’m sure the speakers were even louder. It was much louder at this venue than some indoor concerts I attended.
Cleanliness: There were a bunch of porta potties around the venue and VIP had some too. Hand sanitizer booths were not found around the venue, and COVID tests and vaccines were not checked beforehand for the show or VIP so having to get them for the show was pretty useless. The venue was an absolute disaster after the show ended.
Parking: Parking is not free at this venue so you will want to check the website beforehand to get prices for tickets. Drop off is free but it is a mess. Both getting in and out of the venue took a long time.
Rating: VIP and Venue 5/10 but for the show itself 10/10! AMAZING show! I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Luke again. Just not at this venue…….or anyone at this venue.