Concert review: Luke Bryan w/ Randall King, Mae Estes, & George Birge | 07.31.25, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater (with photo gallery)

Photo of Luke Bryan by Sevauna Stageman

What an electric night at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in St. Louis! Luke Bryan’s “Country Song Came On” tour packed the house with a sold-out crowd. Excitement grew as fans poured in, ready for a night of pure country magic. Opening acts Randall King, Mae Estes, and George Birge took the stage, each delivering a punch of their unique country sound to fire up the crowd for Luke’s headlining set.

Randall King kicked off the night, igniting the crowd with his honky-tonk swagger. The West Texas native and self-described “old soul” has over 300 million streams from hits such as “You In A Honky Tonk” and “Mirror, Mirror.” In St. Louis, he hit the stage with his cowboy hat and Texas charm, immediately commanding the crowd’s attention by calling out, “Any cowgirls or cowboys out there tonight?” The amphitheater erupted with cheers, hats raised high. King’s set featured tracks from 2022’s Shot Glass and newer cuts such as “I Could Be That Rain.” By mid-set, he had the crowd hooked, closing it with an a cappella moment that gave a nod to opening for a Luke Bryan concert—a clever touch that sparked roars of approval.

Mae Estes took the stage as the second opener, bringing her soulful, authentic country sound to the crowd. She hit the stage with infectious energy, and her Southern charm captivated the crowd. Her third song, “Mr. Fix It,” a heartfelt ode to her husband, had the audience swaying as she paused to ask, “Any love bugs out there tonight?” The playful callout sparked cheers and raised hands, with fans leaning into the romantic vibe. She kept the momentum high with a countrified rendition of “Bang Bang,” her twangy take on the pop classic ignited sing-alongs. She closed her set with the catchy track “Gettin’ Back Up To Heaven.”

George Birge wrapped up the opening acts. From Austin, Texas, Birge brought a personal touch to the stage, sharing that performing at iconic venues like the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater was a lifelong dream. Kicking off his set with the rowdy anthem “Back in the Country,” Birge stormed the stage with unforgiving energy, his Texas drawl and larger-than-life charisma instantly igniting the crowd. By his fourth song, “Missin’ Tonight,” the mood shifted as thousands of fans lit up the amphitheater with flashlights, their swaying lights creating a mesmerizing glow. He closed with his most famous track, “Cowboy Songs,” leaning into the crowd’s energy with a playful declaration that “St. Louis only dances to cowboy songs!”

Luke Bryan closed out the night as the headliner, delivering a performance that left the sold-out crowd of nearly 20,000 electrified with his signature country anthems. As Bryan stepped onto the stage, he paused, mouthing “Wow” as he took in the sea of fans. Two mics angled toward the audience captured the sing-alongs throughout the night perfectly. After opening with “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” He declared, “This is the best St. Louis show ever!” The crowd roared, hands raised high, singing every word with fervor.

His connection with the audience was deeply personal, especially on the walkout stage, where he frequently crouched down to lock eyes with front-row fans throughout the set. Kicking off “One Margarita,” Bryan strutted out holding a margarita and shouted “Buenos días, señoritas!” Before launching into “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” he asked, “Who likes to fish or hunt out here?” sparking cheers from the outdoors-loving St. Louisans. The song’s finale was magical with his guitarist shredding a solo, the pianist unleashing a wild run, and a banjo player delivering a breakdown that had the audience on their feet.

Bryan slowed things down with “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” a tender ballad that saw thousands of arms waving back and forth, flashlights glowing, creating an emotional high point. He closed the main set with the rowdy “Rain Is a Good Thing.” The encore was pure magic, as Bryan returned for “Country Man” and his iconic hit “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” the latter sending the crowd into a frenzy of dancing, a perfect cap to a night of unforgettable moments. Bryan’s St. Louis performance perfectly balanced heart, humor, and high energy for country-loving St. Louisans. | Sevauna Stageman