Country music superstar Garth Brooks kicks off his first of seven Calgary concerts on Friday and told local reporters at an afternoon press conference that “this is the place to play.”
“They’ll sing their butts off. You’ll know two lines into the first song what kind of night you’re going to have.
“This is always a guaranteed good time, so we love being here.”
Watch below: Garth Brooks explains how his favourite memory includes one of Calgary’s hockey teams.
Brooks initially announced on July 19 that he would be performing in Calgary at a Sept. 9 concert featuring his wife, singer Trisha Yearwood.
Then, in late July, he revealed he would be performing six more shows. The concerts are as follows:
- Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Watch below: Garth Brooks explains why he is so excited to kick off his concerts in Calgary.
Brooks said Calgarians’ knowledge of country music was comparable to those in the genre’s birthplace.
“Calgary’s knowledge of country music, I don’t think there’s any place — including the home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee — I’d put them up against that, for knowing their country music better than anybody else,” he said. “So when you get out there, you better come prepared and better be ready, because you’re not going to get anything by them.”
Watch below: Garth Brooks explains why he compares Calgary to Nashville for the fans’ knowledge of country music.
Tickets for all shows went on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, July 28 at 10 a.m. MT and included an eight-ticket limit.
The seven shows were sold out by 3 p.m. MT.
Despite the additional concerts, some fans were disappointed, saying tickets were sold out in seconds and then posted on other sites for exorbitant prices.
“I think the rule is try to make more tickets available than there is demand,” he said. “We thought we had sated the demand here, so… when you talk about scalping, that’s a whole other thing.
“Why that’s legal, I have no idea because it’s all cash transactions. It’s just one of those things I guess I’ll go to my grave scratching my head about.”
Watch below: Garth Brooks had some harsh words for people who scalp tickets to his concerts. Warning: Graphic language.
In February, Edmonton was host to nine sold-out Garth Brooks concerts at Rogers Place, which generated $42 million for the city’s economy, according to the Oilers Entertainment Group.
Brooks said the North American leg of the tour was supposed to last for a year-and-a-half, but it’s been going for three years this week.
WATCH: It’s safe to say Garth Brooks fever has hit Calgary and the country singer says he is excited to be back in the city. Jenna Freeman takes a look at the country crooner’s history with Calgary.
Brooks said the North American leg of the tour was supposed to last for a year-and-a-half, but it’s been going for three years this week.
“They say it’s a tour that won’t end; I like the fact it’s a tour that won’t end because the people won’t let it. That’s sweet.
“We’re exhausted, just totally worn out and so happy about it.”
Watch below: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sent their prayers to those affected by tropical storm Harvey in Houston.