Introduction
The Newport Folk Festival is known for its intimate, acoustic atmosphere—a different vibe from the stadiums Luke Combs typically sells out. When he was announced as a headliner, some festival regulars were skeptical, but Combs and his band had a plan. Instead of his usual high-energy setlist filled with party anthems, they crafted a special, stripped-back show featuring deeper cuts and b-sides to fit the festival’s unique feel.
One of the songs included was “Whoever You Turn Out to Be,” a track from his personal album Fathers & Sons. The record is a tribute to his two young boys, Tex and Beau.
An Overwhelming Moment
As Combs sat on a stool and began playing the song, he was visibly moved. The emotion became too much during the line, “But you ain’t got to change the world to make your daddy proud,” and he simply couldn’t continue. He buried his head in his hands as his band played on, a poignant moment witnessed by thousands. After a few seconds, he wiped his eyes, apologized to the crowd, and tried to jump back in, but his voice was still choked with emotion.
He later told the audience, “I apologize,” before adding, “Well, I don’t apologize because I was in the moment there.”
The Right Song at the Right Time
In a recent interview, Combs explained what was going through his head. He revealed that he rarely plays that song at his typical stadium shows because it doesn’t fit the high-energy atmosphere. But at Newport, with its appreciative, songwriter-focused crowd, it felt right. What he didn’t anticipate was how much being home with his family for the previous month would affect him on stage. The memories of his kids were fresh in his mind, and as he performed, the emotion just became overwhelming.
Despite his struggle, the crowd was completely on his side, cheering him on and supporting him through the entire moment. In an industry of larger-than-life personas, this was a profoundly human reaction—a dad thinking about his kids, overwhelmed with love.
What did you think of Luke Combs’s emotional moment? Does seeing this side of an artist make you a bigger fan? Let us know in the comments!