Concert Review: Luke Bryan and Friends Rock Gillette With Country Anthems

Foxborough, MA – An all-star cast of country music stars landed in Foxborough Friday night, tearing up the stage at Gillette Stadium.

The jam-packed crowd of country fans came for the headliner, Luke Bryan, but it was his superior cast of opening acts that really got the party started.

Dustin Lynch kicked off the concert with an enthusiastic performance of hits "Mind Reader," "Where It's At" and "Seein' Red" to welcome the onslaught of tailgaters piling in from the parking lot.

Lynch was succeeded by Chris Stapleton, whose soul-tinged country jams lifted the crowd. Stapleton quipped in between songs how hot it was in Boston Friday night, which riled the crowd up in the muggy July heat.

Stapleton was joined onstage by his wife, Morgane, who sang backup on his jams "Outlaw State of Mind" and "Tennessee Whiskey."

Little Big Town followed Stapleton's performance with their smashes "Girl Crush" and "Day Drinking," but also performed less popular numbers that showcased each of the four members' unique and powerful vocals.

But it was Luke Bryan, headlining the tour to promote his "Kill the Lights" album, that was the real spectacle. Bryan emerged to fireworks and blaring guitars, launching into his set of country rock staples and witty banter with the audience.

Bryan transcended the "bro country" genre that he is often associated with by peppering his popular jams with introspective love songs and a mash-up of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On."

He brought out the opening acts to accompany him on some numbers and performed a poignant duet of "Drink a Beer" with Stapleton, which Stapleton wrote and Bryan credited with catapulting his career.

Though Bryan's set exhibited the country star's range of musical talents, the crowd was still reminded that they were here for a party. Bryan sang alongside a cooler full of beer and at one point he and the members of Little Big Town passed around a bottle of tequila.

Friday night's "Kill the Lights" performance was ultimately a testament to modern country music's potential, blending the hard-partying hits with soulful ballads for a perfect summer weekend celebration.

Photos courtesy of Gillette Stadium/David Silverman