Luke Combs performs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2021. Sean Liming/STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — Luke Combs embraced the isolation of the pandemic and used the time to write a new album. The 2020 CMA Award-winner didn’t disappoint his Bay Area fans, who sang along with him to the new tracks at Chase Center on Friday.

Luke Combs.

The concert began as Combs and his band walked through the crowd to the stage as AC/DC’s “Thunder Struck” played. The band then began it performance with “When it Rains it Pours” and  “1, 2 Many.” Halfway through the song, he walked to the middle of the stage and shotgunned a beer before launching the can into the crowd.

Luke Combs’ set was a combination of old and new songs alike. There were some unreleased songs like “Five Leaf Clover” and “Better Together.” He added in some classic covers like Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” and Travis Tritt’s “Great Day to Be Alive.” As he sang “Does To Me,” originally a duet with Eric Church, the crowd illuminated the arena with phone lights and sang along.

The North Carolina native dropped out of college, worked two jobs and started playing guitar 20 years ago. He’s now on top of the country music world, playing in front of thousands at a sold-out arena tour. Yet, he still came across a humble guy on stage. He seemed genuinely thankful for the fans and let them know it several times.

Luke Combs.

“There is a whole lot of the South in San Francisco,” Combs said to his fans, many in boots, plaid shirts and cowboy hats.

With either a red Solo cup or a guitar in-hand, he worked the stage. Every time he finished his beer, a stagehand quickly replaced it. During “Don’t Tempt Me,” he kicked a beer cup into the crowd. 

In the middle of the bill was ACM award-winner Ashley McBryde, who performed for 45 minutes. This was just about 10 days following being injured in a horseback riding accident in Montana.

McBryde performed “The Great Divide” and her hit “One Night Standard.”

“It’s been a great day for us, so it’s our job to share that with all of you,” he aid before launching into “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega,” her first single.

Ray Fulcher opened up the show, playing his hits for 30 minutes, such as “Girl in it,” “I Got It All” and “Love Ya Son, Go Dawgs.” The women in the audience seemed to be in awe of the extremely good-looking gentleman. 

Follow photographer Sean Liming at Instagram.com/S.Liming.