Article by Ryan Hunt
One thing that Roanoke knows how to do is to host events that bring the community and those of the surrounding area together to enjoy a night of fun and great music. On Sept. 14, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Luke Bryan did just that.
The 41-year old country singer/songwriter knows how to have fun, deliver to an enthusiastic audience, and put on a stellar show. Performing a variety of songs, including early hits such as a medley of “All My Friends Say” and “Country Man”, career defining hits such as “Play It Again”, “That’s My Kind of Night”, and “Drunk On You”, and also 2017 single “Light It Up”, the “Huntin, Fishin’, Lovin’ Every Day” singer gave an almost two hour show filled with energy and vivacity, and a whole love of “lovin.'”
Although he thrives at rocking out with the more upbeat songs, fans thoroughly enjoyed the more mellow tunes, such as “Strip it Down” and “Drink A Beer,” which Bryan performed while sitting on the piano with his guitar.
Some highlights included an interaction with a fan who had a sign that read, “My divorce is almost final – marry me,” mid-show shots of tequila and a knee-slapping cover of Alabama’s “Mountain Music.”
Granger Smith and the band opened the show, followed by Brett Eldridge performing a set including hits “Drunk on Your Love” and “Lose My Mind.”
The next big musical event in the area will happen on our very own campus. Rapper Wale will be performing at 8p.m. on Sept. 30 in the Bast Gym, in a concert sponsored by the RC Campus Activities Board.
