Garth Brooks • October 8, 2026 • Delta Center
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by Ben Krebs
We spend our summers going to so many amazing concerts. As the summer winds down, we think over the various shows we’ve had the opportunity to cover and start to narrow down which shows were the best of the season. But right when we’ve come to some decisions, Country Music Legend Garth Brooks announces, just as the seasons begin to change, that he will be bringing his “Blame It All On My Roots” Tour to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Not only was this tour announced, but, come to find out, the tour stop would take place in just over a month after it was announced. That almost never happens! Not only that, but as it turned out, Garth Brooks wouldn’t be playing just one show here in Utah, but four shows over four days at the Delta Center. I knew I had to make it to one of these shows.
Garth Brooks books multiple shows in a city to battle the Bots that buy tickets and then resell them at a marked-up price. This strategy definitely works because I looked at the tickets over the weekend, and I never noticed any spike in prices. Which came as a great relief to many friends of mine who were late to the game buying tickets. I had the opportunity to attend the opening night show on Thursday, October 8.
Walking into the Delta Center, I could feel the excitement. Fans of all ages were dressed in their best country garb. We’re talking hats, boots, Wranglers, denim skirts, and every style of cowboy hat you can imagine. I came somewhat prepared, wearing a plaid shirt. I was passable, but definitely wouldn’t have been pinpointed as someone fully decked out. I loved the energy in the arena. And I loved what they’ve done with the place. The Delta Center just completed phase 2 of a three-year renovation project to properly host both the Utah Jazz NBA team and the Utah Mammoth NHL team, along with concerts and other events. The facility is looking amazing, and I can’t wait to see more shows there. But you’re not here to read about renovations, are you? Let’s get to Garth.
There was no opener. So when the lights dimmed, we knew it was time for Garth Brooks! People rushed to their seats. The lighting rigs rose from the stage into the sky, revealing a spaceship-like setup and a walkway surrounding the stage. Garth would get great use out of that walkway. A piano rose from beneath the stage as the band took their places. Then Garth Brooks himself rose up to the top of that grand piano. The crowd was deafening. Brooks hadn’t played Utah since 2022, and the joy on the fans’ faces indicated just how happy they were to have him back. Throughout the early portion of the set, Garth made sure to inform the audience that he was there to play the hits. And play them he did.
Songs like “Rodeo”, “Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House”, “The Thunder Rolls”, and “Unanswered Prayers” filled the early part of the set. Not too shabby, eh? Brooks had the audience singing along to all of these. Mentioning that he could tell the audience was there to sing. We had a great big sing-along during “Two Piña Coladas,” giving the crowd multiple chances to sing the chorus as many fans were featured on the big screens.
“Salt Lake Ciiiiiity!!!!” Garth Brooks yelled! “As tradition has it, from the crews, the band, and especially myself, thanks for letting us come back to the great state of Utah to play our music. So it’s opening night. So I say, since you guys have worked the hardest, let’s make this the best one of the night.” It’s amazing when a song like “The River” is played so early in the set. It’s an indicator that someone has so many huge hits that they’re interchangeable in a setlist. This could easily be a closer. But if fit perfectly within the first half of the show. Phone lights lit the Delta Center as the crowd sang along in an inspired way.
Garth Brooks asked how many were at his 2022 Stadium tour stop at Rice-Eccles in 2022. He told us he liked stadium shows, but the things he loved about arena shows is they “just kinda cram it all in a pot. The best statistic about arena shows, we have yet to have an arena show on this tour rained out. We love arenas. But people. Don’t think for a second that the thunder is not going to roll.” As I’m sure you could imagine, the arena erupted as the sound of thunder played and the band began, “The Thunder Rolls.” Garth Brooks simply knows how to play to his fans. They were eating up everything he said.
A major highlight for me was when Garth Brooks played “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” This is one of those songs that has something extra when it’s played live. People were going crazy. I was on the floor for this show. It gave me the opportunity to, of course, be close to the stage, but it also allowed me the chance to look all around the venue and see fans. Families, groups of fans, couples- you name it were having the best time. It’s impossible to not have a great time at one of these shows. They’re so much fun.
No more is there a moment worth writing about than when Garth Brooks performed “Friends in Low Places.” It’s a showstopping moment that rivals any great moment you may have seen in concert. Brooks played the opening chord and everyone knew exactly what comes next. Brooks took a moment to soak it in. He then told the crowd that he’s often asked if “Friends in Low Places” is the biggest song of his career. He said no, “The live version of ‘Friends in Low Places’ is.” The audience went wild as Garth encouraged everyone to sing the song along with him. I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard this arena so loud. It was amazing!
“The Dance” was another moment to pause a little from the high-energy moments and reflect and take in a special moment. It’s a beautiful song, and Garth Brooks performed it with the tenderness it deserved. I couldn’t believe how fast this show was going by. Each song was a moment unto itself. Even as I write this, I keep thinking about how much I want to break down every song. But doing that just won’t give this show justice.
I think it’s good for live music fans to see this man in concert. Before he ended “The Dance,” Garth Brooks told us, “I don’t know if you know it, but take if from me, take it from all of us, something magic is happening in this city. Every time we play here it’s the best freakin’ night you can possibly imagine. Salt Lake, thank you for my life!” The crowd boomed as Garth made his exit.
Garth Brooks returned alone with an acoustic guitar. He took requests from signs fans were holding up. He performed “The Red Strokes”, George Strait, “Troubadour,” and then played “Amarellillo By Morning” as the band returned to join him on stage.
“We Shall Be Free”, one of my favorite Garth Brooks songs, and a song I remember being very brave when he released it, brought back the high energy of the audience. We were headed towards the end of the night, and everyone seemed to want to give the rest of the show everything they had left. “Standing Outside The Fire” ended opening night. It’s the perfect closer. Selfies with Garth in the background were over, and people were just focused and dancing and singing their hearts out. Brooks made another lap around the track, pointing to fans, singing at them, and creating personal experiences forever memorable for these individuals.
When the night ended, I sat down for the first time in two hours, catching my breath. I can’t believe Garth does this every night. He held us in the palm of his hand for two hours. He held Salt Lake City in the palm of his hand for four straight days. I asked people who attended the subsequent performances, and each and every one of them gushed about how much they loved the show and how amazing Garth Brooks is live.
I challenge anyone to attend one of his concerts and not leave feeling better than they did when they walked in. I’ve seen Garth Brooks a couple of times now, and I keep waiting to see a show where his age catches up to him, as it does for every musician. After this show, I’m convinced that it will never happen for Garth Brooks. He will just be this high-energy and one of the greatest live performers in history for as long as he does this.