The Music Beat: Luke Combs performs UVA’s first stadium concert in a decade

April 6, 2026

(Video by Steven Burmeister)

If you ask Luke Combs, Saturday’s concert at the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium was his kind of night.

The Grammy-nominated country musician made his second stop of the “My Kinda Saturday Night” tour at Scott Stadium over the weekend, joined by opening acts Dierks Bentley, Ty Myers, Jake Worthington and Thelma & James.

Luke Combs walking on the stage in front of crowd at John Paul Jones Arena.

Luke Combs hits the stage at Scott Stadium on Saturday for the second stop of his “My Kinda Saturday Night” tour. (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
Dierks Bentley performing in front of a crowd.

Opening act Dierks Bentley is known for hits like “Free and Easy” and “Drunk on a Plane.” (Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

During the concert, Combs recalled his own time as a student at Appalachian State University, where he began performing and writing music.

“Go out and follow your dreams. Because if I can do this, you can do something incredible,” Combs said. 

Roughly 60,000 people packed the stands for the first concert at Scott since 2017’s Concert for Charlottesville.

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Portraits of Jake Worthington, Mackenzie Porter of Thelma & James and Ty Myers performing at John Paul Jones Arena.

Jake Worthington, Mackenzie Porter of Thelma & James and Ty Myers open Saturday’s concert at Scott Stadium. (Photos by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)

Combs, the only country artist to have four Recording Industry Association of America diamond-certified songs (meaning they have sold or streamed 10 million units or more), is known for hits like “Beautiful Crazy” and “When It Rains It Pours.” In 2023, his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” went viral, culminating in the two performing the song at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

The show was the first since 2017 when Scott Stadium hosted the Concert for Charlottesville, organized by Dave Matthews with performances by Ariana Grande, Chris Stapleton and Pharrell Williams, among others. U2 played Scott Stadium in 2009, and the Rolling Stones performed there in 2005. In 2001, Neil Young – along with Dave Matthews – also had a concert.

Media Contacts

Alice Berry

University News Associate Office of University Communications

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