It may have been a sunny day in Nashville, but Category 10’s Big Kickoff brought the storm. Fans—some who had lined up as early as 6 AM—piled into Hurricane Hall, full of anticipation. As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd as the jaw-dropping Cat 10 Light Show lit up the floor with thunder and lightning. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—Luke Combs took the stage for a high-energy, non-stop concert that hit the crowd like a force of nature.
The Big Kickoff was an epic celebration of Category 10’s grand opening—all four floors are now ready to welcome Nashville locals and travelers to Luke’s incredible space. If you missed the show, we’re counting down five, four, three, two, one too many of the night’s best moments.
#5: LUKE “SURPRISES” THE BOOTLEGGERS
Winners of the Bootleggers Sweepstakes gathered in 5 Leaf Clover Sports for a pre-show celebration. They enjoyed some drinks, when a couple of not-so-subtle hints (*ahem ahem, a microphone and a camera crew *) tipped them off that something BIG was coming. Then, none other than Luke himself walked in, raised a glass in a toast, and stayed to sign exclusive posters, snap photos, and share some special moments with his most dedicated fans.
#4: hats off to the band
Luke delivered an incredible set, featuring top hits like “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy,” and “Where The Wild Things Are.” With his freight-train voice and big stage presence, he’s usually the center of attention. But one of the night’s most electrifying moments came when Luke stepped out of the spotlight and handed the reins to his band. They showed their skills with a wild medley of covers, including Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” and The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” The band absolutely owned the stage, showing they’re a force all their own.
#3: luke makes it rain
At Category 10, when it rains, it pours—beer, that is. Luke knows how to enjoy a cold one, and how to bring the party vibes. Kicking off his set with “1, 2, Many,” he cracked open a can, shotgunned it like a pro, and tossed it right into the crowd. But that was just the warm-up. During “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Luke tossed a full solo cup into the crowd, showering some lucky fans with a little liquid courage. Next time you catch Luke at Category 10, make sure you’re ready for the splash zone—because when he’s in town, it’s not just the music that’s bringing the storm.
#2: NEW MUSIC SNEAK-PEEK
Luke kept the crowd singing along to hit after high-energy hit, but the room quieted down in anticipation when he brought out his acoustic guitar. With more than a thousand of his closest friends in the room, (and thousands more tuning in on the Livestream), Luke decided to treat the audience to something special. He played two unreleased tracks, giving the fans a sneak peek into what’s coming next. If these songs are any indication, we can’t wait to see what else Luke has up his sleeve!
#1: Chase your NEon Dreams
We came for the music—but the moment that truly stole the night wasn’t a song at all. In a heartfelt moment, Luke addressed the crowd, speaking directly to everyone with a big dream. He shared how he started his journey in Boone, North Carolina, to playing tiny rooms and dive bars across East Tennessee, chasing the dream that eventually led him to the bright lights of Nashville. And then he said something we’ll never forget:
“If you’re an artist in the crowd, maybe playing Lower Broadway, here, wherever—you never know… I always came to shows like these thinking maybe one day I’d be the artist on that stage in a bar with my name on it. Chase your dreams, man. If I can do it—God dang, if I can do it—anybody can do anything. I promise you that much.”
This whole week building up to The Big Kickoff has been one for the books—from surprise street meetups with fans to contests and poster drops at Category 10. We’ve laughed, sang, line danced our boots off, and made some memories. And the best part? We’re just getting started.
If you’re looking to be part of a crowd this electric, don’t miss what’s coming next. Check out upcoming concerts at Category 10. And swing by before the week’s out—we’re keeping the Big Kickoff party going with more live music, more giveaways, and more non-stop fun.
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