Luke Bryan Live at The Belasco Theater, Los Angeles

On a Monday December 10 in Downtown Los Angeles, Luke Bryan brought the country to Southern California to celebrate the release of his newest album, What Makes You Country. The show was presented by Citi Sound Vault and could be live streamed for those that could not attend. However, for the fans lucky enough to be at the Belasco Theater, it was a night of basking in Bryan’s all-American gloriousness.

When Bryan entered the stage donning the traditional baseball cap and shockingly bright grin, screams didn’t cease until he started singing: “Your mama packed y’all up and moved you to the South.” After “Move,” Bryan kept the momentum by jumping into “That’s My Kind of Night.” This song in particular is one of his commercial successes, but one might assume each of his songs to be hits by the consistent fervor of fans as they reacted to each song’s opening note. It was hard not to have a good time given Bryan’s energy. In true performance determination, he instructed the crowd to clap to the beat and said, “We’ve got to get you into the spirit.”

Following “Kick the Dust Up” and “Rain is a Good Thing,” Bryan formally welcomed the audience and sang the first song of the night off his new album. He said, “It’s pretty amazing to put an album out and to have a number one song, ‘Light It Up.’” For most of the set, Bryan had some sort of acoustic guitar in hand, despite his six-piece backing band.

“Where are my party crashers at tonight, y’all,” Bryan wondered. Any newcomer might expect one of the bro country smashes he tends to be known for, but Bryan kept things mellow with the sweet  “Crash My Party.”

Bryan didn’t play another new song until later in the set with the album’s title track, “What Makes You Country.” It was a nice country tune with the right amount of honky tonk to compliment his baritone. The audience was then treated to another new song. “This is the first time we’ve ever done this one,” Bryan said. The song, “Like You Say You Do,” was a light, stomp-y country jam instead of something you might blast while pounding beers at the river.

 After indulging in the redneck celebratory “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” Bryan stood on an amp with his guitar and a spotlight. An almost alternative riff played before Bryan and band bounced into “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” getting rid of his guitar so that he could dance more easily. Lyrics like “I’m set on cruise control / I’m slowly losing hold of everything I’ve got” inspired some hip sways, which garnered screams from the audience. 

Bryan stepped up the encore another level, with his hit “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” no less. Not a single person was sitting and it would be a shock if anyone was actually still. Even Bryan himself couldn’t help get into the infectious beat. He did a few chest pops (and then gave a goofy grin) before singing: “Hey girl, go on now!” And as the crowd often did throughout the night, prior to the bridge, they sang the chorus alone, their voices echoing off the high, golden ceiling. It was a party moment, and Bryan and his fans were in their element. The audience was so ecstatic that even as Bryan autographed photos and merch for those in the front row after the song ended, they chanted, “One more song! One more song!” It was a good effort and by Bryan’s smile you know he appreciated their dedication, but the set was done. And when he walked off stage, Bryan’s fans’ roaring cheers, just like they had the whole night, filled the theater.

Setlist:

1. Move
2. That’s My Kind of Night
3. Kick the Dust Up
4. Rain is a Good Thing
5. Light It Up
6. Crash My Party
7. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
8. Fast
10. Play It Again
11. What Makes You Country
12. Like You Say You Do
13. Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day
14. I Don’t Want This Night to End
15. Country Girl (Shake It For Me)