Under a warm October sky at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Keith Urban delivered a masterclass in modern country showmanship — a mix of blazing guitar work, heartfelt vocals, and genuine connection that kept The Woodlands crowd on its feet from the first note of “Straight Line” to the final strum of “You Look Good in My Shirt.”

    But before Urban’s high-octane headlining set, the night kicked off with a trio of rising country voices — Karley Scott Collins, Alana Springsteen, and Chase Matthew — each bringing their own unique spark to the Texas stage.

Karley Scott Collins: Soul and Strength

    Opening the evening, Florida-born Karley Scott Collins set the tone with her rich, raspy voice and a mix of attitude and heart that instantly grabbed attention. Her setlist, from her new release only a few weeks old, — “Bad Bad,” “Easy to Leave,” “Denim,” “Quit You,” and “Cowboy Sh!t” — offered a perfect cross-section of her artistry: part storyteller, part firebrand.

    On “Bad Bad,” she growled through blues-rock swagger, while “Easy to Leave” highlighted her tender, confessional side. “Denim” shimmered with nostalgia and warmth, and “Quit You” hit deep with its raw honesty. She closed with “Cowboy Sh!t,” a fierce, crowd-pleasing anthem that had fans cheering loud for more.

“Collins’ voice stopped the crowd mid-conversation — pure, soulful grit.”

Alana Springsteen: Pop-Driven Heart and Honesty

    Next up, Alana Springsteen brought youthful confidence, big hooks, and polished pop-country flair to The Woodlands. Backed by a tight band and a smile that never wavered, the Virginia native showcased a mix of heartbreak, empowerment, and fun with her setlist: “You Don’t Deserve a Country Song,” “That Was All You,” “Look I Like,” “Ghost in My Guitar,” “Same God,” “Before He Cheats” (Carrie Underwood cover), “Cowboys and Tequila,” and “Goodbye Looks Good on You.”

    She kicked things off with the punchy “You Don’t Deserve a Country Song,” instantly connecting with the crowd through its unapologetic lyrics. “That Was All You” and “Look I Like” carried a smooth, radio-ready shine, while “Ghost in My Guitar” brought out her introspective side.

    A highlight came when she surprised the crowd with a fiery cover of Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” nailing every note and earning a standing ovation from the early crowd. She followed with “Cowboys and Tequila,” which turned the Pavilion into a singalong, and closed with “Goodbye Looks Good on You,” a shimmering anthem that left fans wanting more.

“Springsteen shined with pop-star sparkle and Nashville soul.”

Chase Matthew: Grit, Drive and Country Swagger

As the final opener, Chase Matthew cranked up the energy with his unapologetic brand of country-rock grit. With hits like “County Line,” "Darlin" and " Love You Again" Matthew brought a dose of southern attitude and anthemic choruses that had the crowd raising their beers and singing along. His medley of “Back in Black / Give It Away / You Shook Me All Night Long,” had the whole pavilion singing at the top of their lungs. His authenticity and edge made him the perfect bridge between the new wave of country and Urban’s established polish. He closed with “Love You Again,” a heartfelt crowd favorite that showed his range as both a performer and songwriter.

“Chase Matthew kicked the door wide open to country’s next generation.”

Keith Urban: The Modern Maestro

    By the time Keith Urban hit the stage, the crowd was already buzzing — and he took that energy straight into overdrive. Opening with “Straight Line” and “Where the Blacktop Ends,” Urban proved once again that he’s not just a country artist — he’s a world-class performer.

    He weaved effortlessly from the island warmth of “Long Hot Summer” and a smooth tease of “Is This Love” into newer tracks like “Messed Up As Me.” Each song felt personal, especially the soaring “Better Life” and the fan-favorite “Somewhere in My Car.”

    When he hit “Texas Time,” it was pure magic — a tailor-made anthem for this crowd. Urban’s grin said it all: he was right where he belonged.

    The crowd’s energy peaked during “Days Go By,” which morphed into a surprise when Keith brought a sign holding couple on-stage to let Keith help them name their upcoming child with a “Happy Birthday to You” sing along for the father to be as the couple was leaving the stage before transitioning into “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It was one of those spontaneous, only-in-Texas moments that you couldn’t script if you tried.

    From the haunting “’Til Summer Comes Around” to the euphoric “Somebody Like You,” Urban’s setlist was a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh energy. Moving briefly to a B-stage up towards the Pavillion hill, he surprised everyone with a heartfelt cover of “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, showing love for one of pop’s boldest rising stars. Keith finished up on the B-stage performing "You'll Think of Me" followed by signing his guitar and presenting it to a lucky fan.

    Back on the main stage, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” shimmered under soft blue lights while “Wasted Time” closed the main set with fireworks-level intensity.

    The encore brought emotion and uplift — a tender rendition of “Making Memories of Us” followed by a soaring cover of “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals. Finally, “You Look Good in My Shirt” sent the crowd dancing into the night, the perfect cap to a show that was equal parts heart, soul and good old-fashioned fun.

“Urban turned The Woodlands into one giant, singing heartbeat.”

Atmosphere & Venue

    The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is beloved for its mix of natural setting and amphitheater design. The lawn section (with its slight slope) gives a relaxed vibe, while the reserved seats bring you close to the stage.

    The crowd was a tapestry of ages: longtime Keith fans, newer country listeners, couples, groups and families. The energy swelled in waves: knowing choruses got mass sing-alongs; unexpected musical flourishes drew gasps. The cool evening air, the Texas sky overhead and the lights made for a magical ambience.

Final Take

    Keith Urban at the Pavilion on October 11 delivered exactly what a fan hopes for: showmanship, musicianship and moments of genuine connection. The supporting acts added their distinct flavors — Karley Scott Collins showed promise, Alana Springsteen brought electric charm and Chase Matthew stoked the crowd’s energy just right.

    But when the spotlight falls on Urban, it all comes together. He’s a consummate entertainer who still knows how to listen — to his band, to the moment and to the audience. This night in The Woodlands will linger for many attendees as one of those special concerts where everything aligned: the music, the mood and the people.

Keith Urban Setlist:
Straight Line
Where the Blacktop Ends
Long Hot Summer / Is this Love
Messed Up As Me
Better Life
Chuck Taylors
Somewhere in My Car
Texas Time
Cop Car
Days Go By / Happy Birthday to You / Deep in the Heart of Texas
'Til Summer Comes Around
Kiss a Girl / Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me
Wild Hearts
Somebody Like You
One Too Many
B Stage
Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan cover)
Main Stage
Blue Ain't Your Color
Wasted Time
Encore:
Making Memories of Us (The Notorious Cherry Bombs cover)
You Get What You Give (New Radicals cover)
You Look Good in My Shirt

Chase Matthew Setlist:
Drives My Truck
Pull Up
Back in Black / Give it Away / You Shook Me All Night Long
County Line
Darlin'
Love You Again

Alana Springsteen Setlist:
You Don't Deserve a Country Song
That Was All You
Look I Like
Ghost in My Guitar
Same God
Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood cover)
Cowboys and Tequila
Goodbye Looks Good on You

Karley Scott Collins Setlist:
Bad Bad (2025)
Easy to Leave (2025)
Denim (2025)
Quit You (2025)
Cowboy Sh!t(2025)