This past Saturday night, Keith Urban came home to close out his Light The Fuse Tour. After more than two hours and nearly 30 songs, quite frankly, I don’t understand how the place is still standing.

Special guest Dustin Lynch kicked off the show. Lynch, whose “Cowboys and Angels” landed him his first top ten hit, and, no doubt, this coveted spot on the tour, came out and did about a 45 minute set which included covers of “Dust on the Bottle” and “Friends in Low Places.” He’s originally from Tullahoma, TN and seemed eager to please his hometown crowd. His set proved that he will have a long line of success in country music. He’s signed to Broken Bow Records, so I’m sure he already knows that too. Since Lynch used to make the Broadway honky tonk rounds, he played his set with his tip jar out. It was a good way to pay tribute to how he got his start. 

Future country legends Little Big Town co-headlined the tour and brought the crowd to their feet with fan favorites like “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” “Sober,” and “Little White Church.” Their stage set-up was incredible. They used every inch of it too. The quartet, made up of members Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, and Kimberly Schlapman played several of their hits. What I adore about seeing them live is their ability to completely take you into their talent. Kimberly and Karen are basically sirens with abilities to woo you into places that would otherwise be dangerous, then Jimi and Phillip bring you back to safety with their smooth, classic country tones. They complement each other so incredibly well, with harmonies that would stop anyone dead in their tracks. As always, they did not disappoint.

But then, Keith Urban took the stage and reminded us all the real reason we were there. Starting out with just his banjo, Urban led us on a two hour ride of his hits including intimate and moving performances of “Tonight I Wanna Cry” and “Stupid Boy,” to upbeat favorites like “Days Go By,” and “Better Life.” 

This is Keith’s eighth headlining tour, which kind of made me realize that, yes, he HAS been around that long. And to watch the show reminded me why. The man is just amazing. Watching him play his guitar, you realize you are in the presence of a master at his craft. He is just so incredibly happy to be up there on the stage, you can just tell how happy he is to be there.

Surprise guests included Eric Church and Peter Frampton. Eric’s song with Keith was great. It was like watching two best friends just come and jam. But when Peter Frampton came out and did Beatles classic “Get Back," it was surprising that the fuse Keith Urban lit didn't explode. 

I’ve been to several shows, being blessed to see so many of my favorites, but this show will forever be one of my favorites. The sheer talent and brilliance displayed in the nearly four and a half hour tour-de-force was worthy of the entertainer of the year award. Keith is the most talented country singer out there right now and deserves the honor and recognition that comes with. His judgeship on American Idol, his abilities with his guitar, and his showmanship make him one of the biggest stars in the Country constellation right now.