Thomas Rhett Brings His Soundtrack to Life Tour to Evansville

The country superstar brought new music and fan favorites to a packed Ford Center.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: August 21, 2026

For nearly 15 years, Thomas Rhett has put in the miles, first making the familiar country music rounds of fairs, festivals, and rowdy barrooms. A string of early hits led to opening slots for some of the genre’s biggest names, including Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and Dierks Bentley. Now firmly in headliner territory, Thomas Rhett has reached the point where the challenge is no longer filling a setlist, but deciding which hits have to be left out.

Thomas Rhett brought his Soundtrack to Life Tour to the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with the relaxed confidence that comes from years of headlining. Fans arrived early for sets from Emily Ann Roberts and Conner Smith before Thomas Rhett took the stage with the breezy “Make You Wanna.”

Alongside fan favorites like “Look What God Gave Her,” Thomas Rhett made room for newer material, too. “Gone Country,” from About A Woman, his latest album, arrived just three songs into the night before he slipped into longtime favorite “T-Shirt.” From there came his latest hit, “Ain’t a Bad Life,” which recently climbed to No. 2 at country radio. He happily obliged fans packed along the edge of the stage, leaning down for selfies as phones stretched toward him from the pit.

The production never overwhelmed the music. Brilliant lighting effects added to the atmosphere, while Thomas Rhett’s eight-piece band gave familiar hits fresh shape with reworked arrangements, supported by outstanding backing vocalists Melissa McMillan and Blair Whitlow, whose harmonies added another layer to the live sound. But amid a set built on songs fans already knew by heart, Thomas Rhett also made room for something they had never heard before.

With a guitar in hand, Thomas Rhett told the crowd, “I just finished a record two days ago. I wanted to play a new song for you,” before offering an early listen to the unreleased “Better in Love.”

Thomas Rhett welcomed Conner Smith to the stage for “Half of Me,” the two sharing the spotlight on the duet. Moments later, during “Dance With You,” Thomas Rhett stepped offstage and into the audience, making his way through rows of surprised fans, shaking hands, and posing for photos along the way.

After slowing the pace with “Marry Me,” its chorus largely turned over to the crowd, Thomas Rhett shifted into a song he co-wrote with Cole Swindell. Cole would ultimately be the one to record “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” which went on to win ACM Single of the Year and Song of the Year. The steel guitar took center stage, carrying the signature sound of Jo Dee Messina’s ’90s hit.

While Thomas Rhett is one of country music’s biggest stars, his relatability and candidness remain central to his connection with a generation-spanning fanbase. Before “Life Changes,” he shared that his sister-in-law had recently overcome breast cancer and dedicated the song to her.

Thomas Rhett plays at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. Photo By: Amanda Tempel

Another highlight came when Thomas Rhett shifted to a simpler setup, joining his piano player for a medley of “Star of the Show,” “Slow Down Summer,” and “Get Me Some of That.” In an arena filled with thousands, the pared-down moment made the room feel smaller, bringing the songs - and Thomas Rhett - closer to the crowd. During “Unforgettable,” one young fan had the chance to join Thomas Rhett onstage, singing alongside him as the crowd cheered him on.

Thomas Rhett followed that moment with another chart-topping hit. “I’m going to sing you a song I wrote with my daddy,” he told the crowd before launching into “What’s Your Country Song.” His dad, Rhett Akins, is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and soon-to-be member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The final stretch moved through “It Goes Like This,” “Somethin’ ’Bout a Woman,” “After All the Bars Are Closed,” and “Die a Happy Man,” with the crowd singing along to each one. Thomas Rhett saved “Crash and Burn” for the finish, closing out the 25-song set with fans on their feet, jumping through the final chorus. Earlier in the night, Thomas Rhett talked about how many times he’s played Evansville over the years, and the sound of thousands of fans singing along made it clear they’ll be ready to welcome him the next time around.

Thomas Rhett The Soundtrack To Life Setlist

Here’s the setlist from Thomas Rhett’s show in Evansville, Indiana:

• Make You Wanna

• Look What God Gave Her

• Gone Country

• T-Shirt

• Ain’t A Bad Life

• Sixteen

• Better In Love

• Beautiful As You

• Half Of Me (Featuring Conner Smith)

• Dance With You

• Marry Me

• She Had Me From Heads Carolina

• Life Changes

• Craving You

• Water

• Medley: Star of the Show, Slow Down Summer, Get Me Some Of That

• Unforgettable

• What’s Your Country Song

• It Goes Like This

• Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman

• After All the Bars Are Closed

• Die A Happy Man

• Crash and Burn

Related: Thomas Rhett’s The Soundtrack to Life Tour Dates