Garth Brooks has said that his last ever stadium gig will be in Ireland later this year.
The country music legend confirmed yesterday that his arena tour, which is set to end with a string of concerts in Croke Park, will be his last.
Brooks, 60, told reporters in Nashville, Tennessee, that he would conclude his marathon tour in September with five nights in Dublin.
Read more: Extra Garth Brooks tickets for Croke Park gigs go on sale
“I would much rather have a roof over my head and if you get to play for, say, 70,000 people, next time you play, if you’re going to play for 70,000, how about five nights indoor? I’d be happy to do that.”
He also expressed his desire to play even smaller venues: “I’d love to go to dive bars. 75 of ‘em. Let’s line ‘em up, let’s go. Those are the most fun you can have that’s somewhat legal.”
Irish fans spent more than €30million on concert tickets to see the country superstar – and black market prices are now set to go through the roof. Oklahoma native Brooks will play Croker on September 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17 after council chiefs granted permission for five gigs.
The agreement came seven years after the singer’s infamous failed bid for five in a row when Dublin City Council pulled the plug on plans in 2014.
At the time Brooks, who last played Ireland in 1997, compared being forced to abandon the dates as “like a death in the family”.
Speaking at the launch of his rescheduled Irish tour back in November, the Thunder Rolls singer said he “could not wait” for the Dublin performances. He added: “It’s the greatest privilege to play in Ireland and the fact it’s Croke Park makes it even better.”
In a fitting finale he finished his stadium tour of America last night in the home of country music, Nashville.
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