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As a freezing drizzle descended upon the crowds on day one of Boston Calling 2025, an unusual sound greeted the country fans who eagerly awaited Luke Combs — “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond played softly as a warm-up. As the crowd called out the lyrics — which are rote memory for New Englanders at this point — the screens at Harvard Athletic Complex’s Green Stage suddenly began to flash with hype footage of Combs as dramatic music blared out.

In an instant, the screens transitioned into a depiction of a country bar — neon signs, bar stools, and a North Carolina flag — and a spark of pyrotechnics lit the stage. Combs finally graced the stage, fashionably late, and immediately jumped into a couple of his most crowd-pleasing hits, including the aptly titled track “When It Rains It Pours.” In a display of country toughness that felt nearly ritualistic, Combs proceeded to then shotgun a can of Miller Lite — to the delight of the crowd.

After this fiery entrance, Combs took a moment to speak to the audience, talking about his roots in North Carolina and thanking his fans for supporting him throughout his music career. While periodically sipping from a red Solo cup, Combs stood by his microphone and sang hits like “Doin’ This” and “Houston, We Got a Problem.” Combs’ focus was crystal clear, and he sang with deep intensity, his eyes closed and his hand tightly wrapped around his microphone. The performance focused on his masterful live singing, with the visuals taking a back seat throughout the entire show.

As the concert reached its middle point, Combs focused on his softer ballads, like “Beautiful Crazy” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” He gave shout-outs to important people in his life — like his wife — giving the concert a personal feel, as if Combs was singing at a small bar performance instead of a massive festival.

As the set closed, Combs brought out a familiar face to sing “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” Megan Moroney reappeared onstage following her earlier set, wearing a Red Sox jersey emblazoned with a bedazzled heart — an outfit that would win over any Bostonian. The duo, along with Combs’ backing band, cranked out the song with energy, crisscrossing the stage and encouraging the crowd to sing along to the hit. Combs called out, “Boston!” as the final chorus was sung, cracking a rare smile amid his focused performance. As the song came to a close, the stage cleared just as the rain began to let up.

However, the stage didn’t stay empty for long as the crowd chanted, “One more song!” Combs returned for an encore, standing by himself with his guitar as he began to play “Fast Car,” thanking Tracy Chapman for her inspiration and reminiscing about his performance with her at the Grammys. Then, he jumped into his final song — the high-octane hit “Ain't No Love In Oklahoma” — which was accentuated with displays of pyrotechnic flames. Combs’ zeal was clear as he came down to the barricade to sing with the fans.

Combs’ performance was energetic and masterful, displaying a deep appreciation for his country roots and fans. Visually, it didn’t take risks, but instead invested in Combs’ powerful voice and inherent charisma. Combs brought the South to Boston for an evening, transporting the fans at Boston Calling from a cold New England to the warm feeling of a friendly country bar.

—Staff writer Hannah E. Gadway can be reached at hannah.gadway@thecrimson.com.