Luke Bryan Says Fan Who Threw Object at Him During Concert Went ‘Too Far’
MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA — Country music superstar Luke Bryan is speaking out after being struck in the face by an object during his July 26 performance at the North Dakota State Fair, calling the incident “too far” and part of a disturbing trend affecting artists on stage.
Moment Caught on Camera
While performing his hit “Country Girl,” Bryan, 49, was hit in the face by a small round item — believed to be a foam stress ball — thrown from the crowd. A fan-recorded video shows Bryan visibly recoiling but quickly recovering to finish the song.
“It’s the last song of the night. It was a big ole fun party,” Bryan said in a Taste of Country interview. “And I think one person just took it too far.”
Rising Concern Over Onstage Incidents
Bryan, like many artists recently, has faced growing concern over fan behavior. Performers such as Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Drake, and Pink have all been hit or targeted by flying objects during live sets.
“You hope that you can see who did it,” Bryan said. “Because when audiences throw things at performers, they’re being selfish — and ruining the show for everyone else.”
Despite the impact, Bryan chose not to address the incident publicly at the time or stop the concert. “If I’d even stopped it and pointed somebody out, it kills the vibe of the show,” he explained.
No Criminal Investigation Open
According to the Ward County Sheriff’s Department, no official complaint was filed by Bryan or his team, and therefore no criminal investigation is currently underway. The department acknowledged awareness of the viral videos but added that without a formal complaint, they cannot proceed further.
Their release identified the thrown item as a ball — “possibly being a foam-type stress ball” — and confirmed they have no information on a suspect.
A Record-Breaking State Fair
This year’s North Dakota State Fair was celebrating its 60th anniversary and broke attendance records, welcoming over 350,000 people between July 18–26, according to Minot Daily News.
Despite the massive turnout and mostly positive vibes, the incident with Bryan is a reminder of the thin line between fandom and disruption.
A Growing Issue in Live Music
The concert industry has been grappling with fan misconduct as major touring artists return to large-scale festivals and arenas. Whether it’s cell phones being thrown or drinks hurled mid-performance, safety concerns are becoming part of the larger conversation about live event culture.
How do you feel about rising fan incidents at concerts? Have you seen similar moments live? Share your thoughts at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.