Comedian Nate Bargatze made history Thursday night as his "Big Dumb Eyes" world tour kicked off its U.S. leg at Duluth's Amsoil Arena, breaking the venue's all-time attendance record with an unprecedented 7,840 tickets sold.
The Grammy-nominated comedian's performance surpassed the previous attendance record held by music legend Elton John, whose "Greatest Hits Live" tour attracted 7,600 fans when the venue was still relatively new in 2011.
"Nate Bargatze was just in Dublin and now he's in Duluth, Minnesota, shattering a 14-year attendance record of Sir Elton John," said Daniel Hartman, executive director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. "It was a fantastic night at Amsoil Arena!"
Bargatze, known for his clean, relatable humor and distinctive deadpan delivery, has seen his star rise dramatically in recent years through critically acclaimed Netflix specials, late-night television appearances, and his chart-topping podcast.
Upon hearing the news, Bargatze said, "Wow! Thank you, Duluth and Amsoil Arena! Couldn't have done it without you all. Hope to be back very soon!”
The "Big Dumb Eyes" world tour marks Bargatze's most ambitious circuit to date, following his 2023 Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. Thursday's performance featured all-new material that had the record-breaking crowd in stitches from start to finish.
The "Big Dumb Eyes" tour continues across major U.S. cities through fall 2025.
