Garth Brooks' Emotional First Show Back

The setlist for Garth Brooks' first stadium tour stop since before the pandemic reveals some twists among 27 hits and cover songs. During his Saturday night (July 10) concert in Las Vegas, Brooks kept it country during an emotional night of music.

Videos shared to social media show an early performance of "The River" and an encore performance of "Shallow" as highlights. Both became cathartic singalongs that emphasize what the singer was feeling as he dropped to his knees and held up his hands in a show of gratitude for this first show in more than 500 days.

"The Dance" and "Friends in Low Places" were predictably resonant; it's these two songs that Brooks' fans expect to hear above all others from his catalog. The 27-song setlist started as many have previously, per SetList.fm. In fact, the first four songs were the same as his last stadium show, a Feb. 22, 2020 show in Detroit. From there he mixed it up with familiar covers and deep cuts that he'll pull out from time to time. A pair of George Strait covers dotted the encore, along with a Keith Whitley cover ("Don't Close Your Eyes") that he'll only pull out on occasion.

Trisha Yearwood joined Brooks during the encore for her song "Walkaway Joe" and a live version of "Shallow," the song from A Star as Born that they recorded and released as a single to radio in 2020. The duet was a highlight for many, as it should be: Unofficial records show that this was the first time they'd performed it together during a stadium tour stop.

Check out the full setlist below. Brooks' next show is slated for Saturday (July 17) in Salt Lake City.

Garth Brooks' Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium Setlist:
"All Day Long"
"Rodeo"
"Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House"
"The Beaches of Cheyenne"
"Two Pina Coladas"
"Fishin' In the Dark" (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Cover)
"The River"
"The Thunder Rolls"
"Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)
"Unanswered Prayers"
"Ask Me How I Know"
"That Summer"
"Callin' Baton Rouge"
"Shameless"
"Friends in Low Places"
"Papa Loved Mama"
"The Dance"

Encore:
"Mom"
"In Lonesome Dove"
"Don't Close Your Eyes" (Keith Whitley Cover)
"Amarillo by Morning" (George Strait Cover)
"Wild Horses"
"Troubadour" (George Strait Cover)
"Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)"
"Shallow" With Trisha Yearwood (Lady Gaga + Bradley Cooper Cover)
"Walkaway Joe" With Trisha Yearwood (Trisha Yearwood Cover)
"Standing Outside the Fire"

5 Hottest Country Tours of Summer 2021

There’s a lot to consider when making a list of the hottest tours of summer 2021, including star power, opening acts, venues and set lists. Add to that concerns and cautions as the country begins to emerge from a pandemic and that no one has seen live music in 14 months. It’s quite likely you’re craving live music like a drug that’s just out of reach ... or you’re scared shirtless to surround yourself with 10,000 fans indoors.

All the emotions about reengaging with the live country music community are valid. While at first it seemed September would be start-up month, several tours on this Hot List begin in July and August at outdoor venues across America. The No. 3 tour and No. 1 tour on our list are mostly indoors, but both are banking on increased safety that comes from a majority of the population having the COVID-19 vaccine.

Once those lights go down, all of these worries will be carried away by the buzz in the air (and maybe, from your cup). Find five total professionals on this list of Hot Summer Tours, each bringing a total stage show, plus several in-demand opening acts with a proven track record of live entertainment at the highest level. There’s no fat on any of these country tours — if you stick to the tailgate through an opener’s set, you’ll truly be missing something special.

As always, let us know who you can’t wait to see on tour in 2021 via Twitter or email.