What to expect at Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots tour: Setlist, start time and more

There are certain songs you hear once in a crowded arena and immediately understand why Garth Brooks has stayed such a huge live draw for so long.

“Friends in Low Places” is one of them. So is “The Dance.” And on the “Blame It All On My Roots” Arena Tour, Brooks is bringing those songs back into the kind of rooms where thousands of people can sing every word right back at him.

Whether you already have Garth Brooks tickets or are thinking about going, here is everything to know before show night.

Ultimate guide to Garth Brooks’ “Blame It All On My Roots” tour

“Blame It All On My Roots” gets its name from Brooks’ 2013 box set, but the tour is really a return to the arena shows that helped make him one of country music’s biggest live acts.

After spending years filling stadiums, Brooks is back indoors, where the crowd is right on top of the stage and the whole show can feel a little looser and more personal.

Upcoming Garth Brooks “Blame It All On My Roots” tour dates

Below are the remaining confirmed dates for Garth Brooks’ “Blame It All On My Roots” Arena Tour. No opener is currently listed for these shows, so treat the listed start time seriously.

*The Sunday, September 13 Rosemont matinee is the date most likely to catch fans off guard because it starts at 2:00 p.m. CT. Double-check your ticket before making dinner, parking or rideshare plans. **Tickets for the added Delta Center dates go on sale September 18 at 10 a.m. MT. SeatGeek will host the onsale as the Official Ticketing Partner for Delta Center. Tickets are $154 each for both Delta Center shows, with an 8-ticket purchase limit.

What time does Garth Brooks go on stage?

With no traditional opening act so far, Garth Brooks has been coming on pretty close to the time printed on the ticket.

Across the Indianapolis and Denver runs, most reported start times have landed within about 25 minutes of the scheduled start, although the opening Indianapolis show began 45 minutes late. Other Indianapolis shows with reported times began at 8:25 p.m., while Denver included an 8:20 p.m. start, a 2:15 p.m. start for the Sunday matinee and one evening show that began right at 7:30 p.m.

In other words, this is not a night to assume you have another hour once the listed time arrives.

How long is a Garth Brooks concert?

Based on the Indianapolis and Denver shows with reported start and end times, Garth Brooks has been playing for roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes to just over two hours.

There has been some real variation. The first Indianapolis show ran about 1 hour and 50 minutes, while Denver has included performances of about 1 hour and 35 minutes, 1 hour and 45 minutes and 2 hours and 5 minutes.

A good rule is to budget around two hours once Brooks takes the stage, with the possibility of a longer night when the requests and encore start piling up.

Garth Brooks “Blame It All On My Roots” setlist

With eight arena shows now in the books, there is a pretty strong sample for what Garth Brooks is playing on the “Blame It All On My Roots” Tour.

Brooks has changed the setlist from night to night, and that is intentional. But across four shows in Indianapolis and four in Denver, a clear group of songs has still emerged.

Here are some of the most common songs from those eight arena shows:

Outside that group, things get much harder to predict. Brooks has mixed in songs like “Papa Loved Mama,” “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “In Lonesome Dove,” “The Red Strokes” and “That Girl Is a Cowboy,” along with plenty of covers and medleys.

George Strait songs have been especially common, with “Troubadour,” “Amarillo by Morning,” “The Chair” and “The Fireman” all appearing at least once. Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” has also popped up on multiple nights.

So there is a very recognizable Garth Brooks show at the center of the tour. The surprises tend to come around it.

Does Garth Brooks play older hits?

Yes. The biggest songs are doing a lot of the heavy lifting on this tour.

Across the first eight arena shows, Brooks has repeatedly played “Rodeo,” “The River,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “That Summer,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “Shameless,” “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance,” among others.

So if you are going mainly for the songs that made Garth Brooks a household name, you are not waiting around all night for them. They make up a huge chunk of the show.

Does Garth Brooks play deep cuts and roots-country classics?

Yes, and this is where the setlist gets much less predictable.

Along with the big hits, Brooks has been pulling out deeper catalog songs and covers tied to some of his biggest country and rock influences. The Indianapolis and Denver runs have included songs by George Strait, Bob Seger, Randy Travis and Keith Whitley, along with less common Brooks songs.

Is there an encore at Garth Brooks’ “Blame It All On My Roots” concert?

Yes, but there is no set formula for what happens once the main set ends.

The closing stretch has been one of the most flexible parts of the show, with Brooks mixing his own songs, covers, medleys and requests. One Denver performance included “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Troubadour,” “Amarillo by Morning” and “Standing Outside the Fire,” while other nights have gone in completely different directions.

So when the main set appears to be winding down, do not start heading for the exits. There can still be a lot of show left.

What is the “Blame It All On My Roots” production like?

The biggest throwback onstage is the return of the Drum Pod from Brooks’ 1996-98 World Tour.

For this tour, the setup has been rebuilt with modern technology and paired with a new 360-degree video system called “The Halo,” which uses screens facing both inward and outward so fans around the arena can follow what is happening onstage.

Brooks has talked about bringing the energy of his stadium shows back into a smaller arena setting, and that comes through in the way the production is built. It is big enough to fill the room without taking attention away from Brooks and the band.

The exact layout can vary by venue, so it is still worth checking the seat map for your specific show before buying tickets. But the basic idea stays the same: a big arena setup, a lot of movement onstage and a crowd that gets pulled into the show instead of just watching it.

When should you arrive for Garth Brooks’ concert?

Earlier than you might for a show with an opening act.

Brooks has been coming on close to the listed start time, so arriving 60 to 90 minutes early is a good target if you want time for security, merch, food or drinks before finding your seat.

What should you bring to a Garth Brooks concert?

Start with a charged phone and your mobile ticket loaded before you reach the arena.

A portable charger can also be useful if your venue allows one, especially if you are taking photos, using rideshare or keeping your ticket on your phone. Bring a valid ID, your preferred payment method and a small bag that meets the venue’s rules.

Comfortable shoes are a good idea, too. There is a pretty good chance you will spend more time standing and singing than sitting.

What should you wear to the “Blame It All On My Roots” tour?

You will not look out of place in cowboy boots, denim, a Western shirt or an old Garth Brooks tee.

The tour's throwback feel makes it a pretty good excuse to dig something country out of the closet, but comfort matters more than dressing to a theme.

Wear shoes you are happy standing in for a couple of hours and bring a layer if you tend to get cold inside arenas.

Is Garth Brooks’ “Blame It All On My Roots” tour good for younger fans?

Yes. A Garth Brooks crowd can have kids, parents and grandparents all singing the same songs.

For younger fans, the biggest things to think about are volume and timing. Ear protection is worth considering for kids, and the 8 p.m. shows can turn into a late night once the concert and post-show traffic are over.

The Sunday, Sept. 13 matinee in Rosemont is probably the easiest remaining option for families because it starts at 2 p.m. CT.

As always, check the venue’s age and entry policies before buying tickets for a child.

How to get Garth Brooks tour tickets on SeatGeek

Garth Brooks shows can feel different from one night to the next, so it is worth taking a minute to find a seat and price you actually feel good about before buying.

Here’s how:

1. Go to SeatGeek's website or open the SeatGeek app and search for “Garth Brooks.”

2. Select the “Blame It All On My Roots” date and city you want to attend.

3. Use the interactive seat map to explore sections, rows and prices.

4. Use View From Seat when available to preview your sightline before buying.

5. Check Deal Score to identify Garth Brooks tickets that offer strong value for the seat location.

6. Use filters to sort by price, ticket quantity, section or other preferences.

7. Review the full ticket details, including section, row, seat, delivery method and all-in pricing, before checkout.

8. Complete your purchase knowing eligible orders are backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee.

9. Before the show, make sure your mobile tickets are ready, your phone is charged and your specific start time is confirmed.

By the end of the night, you are probably hoarse, a little tired and still singing one of those songs on the way out.