I got in my car and drove to Mohegan Sun Arena on Oct. 3 to see Keith Urban live– one of my bucket-list artists. This wasn’t a chance I could pass up, and I wasn’t about to mess around.
He’s one of those artists who brings an immediate sense of nostalgia, with that crisp country sound that makes your ears perk up. He delivered exactly that in front of thousands of fans on a cool Friday night.
But before Urban took the stage, three standout openers warmed up the crowd and set the tone for the night.
Rising star Kayley Scott Collins kicked things off with a handful of her own songs, including “Cowboy Sh!t” and “Quit You.” I wasn’t too familiar with her music going in, but her genuine vocals and heartfelt lyrics won me over, and she’s definitely getting added to my playlist.
Next up was Alana Springsteen, who kept the crowd engaged with a mix of emotional storytelling and witty banter. Many of her songs touch on heartbreak and tough times. At one point, she asked, “Who here has a horrible ex?”– a question that got plenty of hands in the air. She then launched into her hit “You Don’t Deserve a Country Song,” which earned loud cheers.
Springsteen also shared a personal story with the audience: as a kid, she used to play Keith Urban’s vinyls in her room. He even inspired her to learn guitar, so touring with him was a full-circle moment.
The final opener, Chase Matthew, brought a lot of energy and passion to the stage. I’ve heard his music before, but hearing it live felt like a breath of fresh air. He spoke openly about personal struggles and how faith helped him get back on track– something that clearly resonated with the crowd. His set included “Country Line,” “Love You Again,” and my personal favorite of the night, “Darlin’.”
Then, finally, it was time for the main event.
Keith Urban took the stage with a powerful set that blended fan favorites and newer tracks from his 2024 album “High.” He opened with “Straight Line,” immediately getting the entire arena on its feet. One of the highlights early on was “Long Hot Summer,” which ended with a killer guitar solo that brought the crowd to another level.
Urban didn’t just play to the front row– he made sure everyone felt included. At one point, he told the back of the venue he’d make his way to them, and he kept his promise. Later in the night, he walked through the crowd giving high-fives, climbed up on the B-stage near the rear, and performed a cover of Chappell Roan’s viral hit “Pink Pony Club,” followed by his own emotional song “You’ll Think of Me.”
One lucky fan walked away with Urban’s guitar, and others caught T-shirts and other goodies he tossed into the crowd. He even stopped to take selfies with fans on their phones as he made his way back to the main stage.
It feels good to be a country music fan in 2025. With new artists making waves and legends like Keith Urban still touring and releasing music, the genre feels more alive than ever. And watching Urban do what he loves, while clearly enjoying every second, reminded me why I love his music so much, and what makes it so special.
