Winter finally made its way to New York City, but that didn’t stop devoted Luke Bryan fans from standing in line for a chance to hear new music from the two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year’s sixth studio album, What Makes You Country, available Friday, December 8th. With doors scheduled to open at 8pm, hundreds of fans already filled half of the avenue-length block at 6:30pm on Wednesday (12/6). Some were already there for hours and still had another 90 minutes to stand in blistering 36 degree weather, but they knew it would be worth it.
And they were so right.
Once inside the beautiful Altman Building, 600+ of Bryan’s biggest fans were treated to a 14-song set that included career-spanning hit songs as well as a preview to a few of the new tracks. Donned in his is signature cap and a slightly small button down shirt – at one point a button popped open prompting Bryan to sing about his four chest hairs to the tune of “Fast” – Bryan kicked off the night with “Move” which instantly got the already excited crowd’s energy up to an infinite level. And it never came down as the hits, literally, just kept on coming: “That’s My Kind of Night“, “Kick the Dust Up” and “Rain Is a Good Thing.” Bryan then performed “Light It Up“, the first single off the new album that is on the verge of becoming his next #1, before switching back to previous chart toppers “Crash My Party“, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye“, “Fast” and “Play It Again.”
First listens of the new material were promised and did not disappoint. The title track “What Makes You Country” was performed for the first time live with a full band while “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” already seems to be a fan favorite. Closing out the set was “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day” and “I Don’t Want This Night To End” – a feeling that both Bryan and his fans agreed with.
But it’s not a Luke Bryan concert without a little shaking! As he and the band returned for their encore to an enormous roar from the crowd, Bryan had everyone – country and city girls and guys alike – shaking and singing to his Five-Time RIAA Platinum selling hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)“.
In addition to the up close, intimate performance, Bryan also made the evening more personal by interacting with his fans throughout the night. After the first few songs, Bryan announced from the stage for the crowd to push the bike rail forward two feet, causing a bit of a rush to the stage. “Now I’m happy,” said Bryan as he started giving handshakes and high fives to those up front. He also accepted a t-shirt from one fan, a stuffed Chihuahua with a glittery pink leash from another (to which Bryan announced “I’m gonna sleep with this thing”), and took plenty of selfies, making this a night his fans will surely never forget.
Fans had a chance to attend this amazing #UpCloseWith event thanks to Pandora and FedEx.
For more information on Luke Bryan, including tour dates for his upcoming WHAT MAKES YOU COUNTRY TOUR and to purchase the album, visit www.lukebryan.com.