Garth Brooks kicked off his Blame It All On My Roots Arena Tour in Indianapolis, delivering a nostalgic 90-minute Sunday matinee that brought the spirit—and some of the production magic—of his legendary 1996 arena tour back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
There was something wonderfully old-school about spending a Sunday afternoon at a Garth Brooks concert. Instead of waiting until evening, fans walked into Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a 2 p.m. show on August 23, 2026, knowing they would be home at a reasonable hour. For a touring artist whose shows are known for massive energy, the matinee proved that Garth can turn an afternoon into prime-time concert territory.
The Indianapolis run marked the beginning of the Blame It All On My Roots Arena Tour, which officially launched August 20. What was originally announced as two Indianapolis performances quickly expanded to four shows—August 20, 21, 22 and 23—after demand soared.
A Throwback to the 1996 Arena Tour
The entire concept of this tour is built around nostalgia. Thirty years ago, Brooks’ 1996 arena tour changed the way country concerts were staged, most famously with the return of the Drum Pod.
The original production placed drummer Mike Palmer inside a distinctive plexiglass-and-aluminum enclosure that brought him out from the traditional backline and made the drummer part of the visual spectacle. That drum pod became one of the most recognizable elements of Brooks’ 1990s shows, and the recordings from that era eventually became Double Live.
For 2026, Brooks brought the iconic design back. It wasn’t simply a reproduction of a memorable stage prop. The Drum Pod helped recreate the intimacy and energy of the arena shows that turned Brooks into one of the biggest live acts in the world. The current tour combines the throwback production with both end-stage and in-the-round configurations, making the experience feel intentionally connected to the past while still working for today’s arenas.
Garth Brooks Still Knows How to Entertain
The show began building anticipation before Brooks even appeared. Around 2:15 p.m., the pre-show featured video footage, including a Queen medley from his unreleased 2022 Croke Park Dublin concert film.
Then, around 2:20 p.m., Brooks appeared in a simple all-black look—black button-down shirt, black jeans and black boots—and immediately launched into “The Old Stuff.” From there, the afternoon became a celebration of classic country, rock influences and songs that have been part of Brooks’ catalog for decades.
He moved through “Rodeo,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” and “Two Piña Coladas” before unexpectedly shifting gears into a George Strait tribute featuring “The Chair” “Amarillo By Morning”, and “The Fireman.” Rather than waiting until the end of the concert to read fan signs and take requests, as Brooks often does, the George Strait mini-set was incorporated into the middle of Sunday’s performance…