He wasn’t here for a long time, but he was here for a good time.

George Strait, a legend in the country music world, stepped onto the circular stage and dazzled a pair of capacity crowds inside Jones AT&T Stadium. It was a celebration of country music royalty as Strait played his inaugural shows at the home of the Texas Tech football team.

It marked the first time the 73-year-old Strait came to Lubbock since his “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” on Jan. 18, 2013 — playing to a sold-out crowd at the then, United Spirit Arena. Strait was booked in Lubbock at least 10 times between December 1983 and April 1993, per A-J files.

Initially, the “King of Country Music” was set to play April 25 in Lubbock. But days after the news broke, George Strait’s social media announced a second show. It was official, Strait — accompanied by Zach Top and Dylan Gossett — was slated to play April 24 and close out his South Plains stay with Miranda Lambert and Texas Tech’s own Hudson Westbrook the next day.

George Strait performs Friday, April 24, 2026 inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Zach Top and Dylan Gossett opened for Strait on the first of two nights in Lubbock.

George Strait performs Friday, April 24, 2026 inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Zach Top and Dylan Gossett opened for Strait on the first of two nights in Lubbock.

George Strait performs Friday, April 24, 2026 inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Zach Top and Dylan Gossett opened for Strait on the first of two nights in Lubbock.

Photos highlight George Strait Friday night concert at Texas Tech

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George Strait performs Friday, April 24, 2026 inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Zach Top and Dylan Gossett opened for Strait on the first of two nights in Lubbock.

The modern day Troubador kept everyone dancing with all of his hits — pulling from his 60 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Country charts, more than any other artist. Any setlist he put together could not cover it all in one night. Good thing there were two nights to allow for some breathing room, but kept Strait simple with the classics and a few songs from his 34th studio album “Cowboys and Dreamers” which came out in 2024.

No matter the song selected, it was a special two nights watching the veteran singer do his thing. And plenty came out to see — 133,065 over the two shows, to be exact.

Back in 2012, Strait retired from touring and plays around five or 10 shows a year, typically stadium shows that are enough to get him out of the house — a well-earned perk throughout a 50-year career. And the load management is the likely reason he still sounds flawless on every lyric, track he sings — with the occasional voice crack. He is human, you know?

Those factors make a George Strait concert feel like a transcendent experience, where you can close your eyes and travel back to the moment you heard his favorite song, “Amarillo by Morning,” or “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” during the encore.

Nostalgia hits you like a ton of bricks, or like the body blows Jacob Rodriguez delivered to opponents inside the Jones last season. And the songs kept coming and coming, since Strait chooses to stick to business and not talk much during his concerts. He did pause to mention he was getting dizzy — joking, of course — from the circular, spinning stage.

But, Strait did set the tone at the beginning of his 28-song setlist Friday.

“We’ve got a lot of songs to play for you this evening,” he told the crowd Friday night. “So, you just sit back, relax and have a good time. And leave the driving to us.”

George Strait on the field for his concert Friday evening, April 24, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

And what a drive it was as he finished, took a bow and waved goodbye — hoping he would have returners for the Saturday show, which was much of the same and left the crowd satisfied. He even threw in few duets with Lambert helping sing, “She’ll Leave You with a Smile” and “I Just Want to Dance with You.”

Might be too soon to ask, but will The King return to Lubbock?

No one knows. But, those lucky enough to catch him Friday and Saturday, can say they saw Strait in concert — something that’s becoming more difficult to do with the decrease in his touring schedule. A rare opportunity for fans young and old to see a living legend in person — much less in Lubbock.

The Poteet native and Texas State University graduate has to have a soft spot for the Lone Star State. Whether that played into the decision to have two concerts in Lubbock, equating to six total in Texas? We’ll never know.

But, after a few hours of listening to the hits under the picturesque West Texas skies, the consensus was that it came straight from the heart. Even Strait was caught surprise at one point, joking Friday night, “Isn’t Lubbock supposed to be windy?”

And, then, at the end of the four-song encore, Strait ended apropos with, “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

Unless he has, One Last Ride.

“I still hear your screams and cheers in my mind,” he told the crowd Saturday. “And I will always remember you.”