Country music icon, Garth Brooks brought his sold out record breaking tour to Newark, NJ on December 1st for an incredible evening of legendary hits, Marking for Brooks’ first time performing in New Jersey. Brooks’ has been on this current trek since September of 2014 (with time-off along the way, of course), and his three sold out Newark concerts this weekend represent the tour’s second to final stop before seven shows in Nashville starting later this week. This tour marks a history making, record-breaking trek that began more than three years ago, taking Brooks nearly 400 (This night being his 384th performance) performances before he finally landed in New Jersey. The tour selling more then 6.4 million tickets, making for the biggest American tour in the world and the largest North American tour in history.
On this tour, Brooks’ comes with support from his wife, Trisha Yearwood, the country superstar played a 2 hour and 15 minute set, his 25+ setlist included songs from Brooks entire discography which more then half of were number 1 hits that conquered country radio including his latest No. 1 single titled, “Ask Me How I Know,” which was solely written by Mitch Rossell, who we had the complete honor to check out as he opened up the show this evening in Newark and on the entire tour. This song marks Brooks’ 20th No. 1 song in 10 years, last appearing in the charts for his song “More Than A Memory” in 2007.
Garth Brooks dramatic entrance to the stage included a list of his record-setting and record-breaking accomplishments including his awards such as Top Selling Solo Artist In History, Six Time CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year, CMA Pinnacle Award, and 22 Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as several Grammy Award winnings were flashed on a video screen before he made his fog-filled debut to the crowd launching onto the stage from beneath the stage in his signature cowboy hat and denim jacket over a black t-shirt to his single “Baby Let’s Lay Down and Dance,” one of only two songs performed off his 2016 album release, Gunslinger. Brooks’ set was a complete high energy, hit songs, incredible talent & musicianship from Brooks’ & his band, and an A+ production. Brooks’ mesmerized the sold out crowd with his impressive showmanship and flawless vocals. His electrifying set was entertaining in all ways from the impeccable lighting show, his highly energetic band, singers, and awesome drum riser ball.
As Trisha Yearwood arose from the stage, to perform Brooks’ and hers duet of “In Another’s Eyes,” the crowd exploded into a roaring cheer. Then allowing Brooks’ to take a brief break from performing, which allowed Yearwood to perform some of her biggest hits including, “XXX’s and OOO’s” (An American Girl), “How Do I Live,” her fierce cancer fighting anthem, “PrizeFighter” and “She’s in Love With the Boy.” Several of these songs you could see Brooks’ playing guitar and adding some backup vocal flare to his wife’s smash hit singles as she performed them. Yearwood’s performance was breathtaking, perfect, and all around exceptionally flawless.
Highlights from Brooks’ set would definitley include, his explosive fan favorite cover of Billy Joel’s “Shameless.” Another notable moment was definitley Brooks’ performance of fan favorite hits such as “The Dance,” “Friends In Low Places,” and “Thunder Rolls,” where it was just a massive sing-a-long with the crowd screaming the lyrics louder then Brooks’ has probably ever heard. Especially during the added third verse of “Friends In Low Places” when fans took over and finished out the song.
One very unique additive to Brooks’ set is when he takes a list of encore requests from signs held up by fans in attendance at his show, many of which were the deepest of deep cuts and some of his oldest material making for an emotional rollercoaster for his day one fans. The massive Garth Brooks World Tour wraps up beginning later this week with a seven show finale performance in Nashville.
“I gotta apologize to you, New Jersey, We should’ve come back a hell of a lot sooner!”
-Garth Brooks
Garth Brook’s Setlist | Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 1st, 2017
“Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance”
“Rodeo”
“Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House”
“The River”
“Two Piña Coladas”
“Papa Loved Mama”
“Unanswered Prayers”
“Make You Feel My Love”
“That Summer”
“Ask Me How I Know”
“The Thunder Rolls”
“In Another’s Eyes” (duet with Trisha Yearwood)
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Trisha Yearwood’s Setlist
“XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl)”
“How Do I Live”
“PrizeFighter”
“She’s in Love With the Boy”
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“Shameless”
“Callin’ Baton Rouge”
“Friends in Low Places” (w/ Third Verse)
“The Dance”
Encore:
“What’s She Doing Now”
“Fit for a King”
“Wrapped Up in You”
“She’s Every Woman”
“We Shall Be Free”
“Ireland”
“Piano Man”
“Standing Outside the Fire”
