by photojournalist Wyatt Combs
Chris Janson’s “Wild Horses Untamed Tour” came to St. Petersburg, on February 7, 2026. By the time the doors finally opened at Jannus Live, the line had wrapped around the block. This was a group of people who showed up good and early because they knew what kind of night Chris Janson brings with him. Who wouldn’t want a front-row spot for that kind of party? With Jannus’s steel gates swung out of the way, the crowd quickly filed in, grabbed their drinks, found a spot, and settled in. Before long, Janson walked onto the Jannus Live stage. With a cigar, his trademark Bass Pro Shops hat, and his guitar, he kicked the show off with a bang, launching straight into his catalog of numerous hits.
Every Chris Janson song just works live. They’re built to be played that way, and no matter the venue, you feel like you’re right there at the honky-tonk. They bring good-time energy and keep the spirits high throughout. “Buy Me a Boat,” “Fix a Drink,” and “Good Vibes” hit exactly how they’re meant to—no frills, no filler, just straight-up good-time music—and the crowd clearly loved it.
The set bounced around in the best way. Janson jumped on the drums for a stretch, ripped through harmonica solos as he’s known to do, and dug into some surprise covers. “Louisiana Saturday Night” by Don Williams, “Curtis Lowe,” tipping his hat to his early days touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd when he was just 19 years old, and at one point, a solo piano rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” because why not? That’s the kind of night it was.
In between songs, Janson took time to talk to the crowd. He spoke about being true to yourself in what you put out into the world and about being deeply grateful for the response from the audience, stating that this was exactly the kind of night he needed.
Florida clearly feels like home for Janson lately, and that came through in the way he talked and performed. Between touring, he’s been spending a lot of time in the state with his family, and it clearly fits him. He’s an outdoorsman to the core—often hunting and fishing here in the state. Family is a big part of who he is now, too. Just before the St. Pete show, he was in Orlando supporting his daughter at a cheer competition, proudly owning his role as a full-on cheer dad.
By the end of the night, Jannus Live felt just like last call at your favorite country bar. The band was loading out and the bar was closed, but nobody was ready to go home. But alas, the crowd and myself reluctantly spilled out onto the streets of St. Pete.
The moral of the evening? Chris Janson doesn’t overthink it—and neither does his audience. It’s just good vibes, and sometimes that’s all music needs to be.
