Eric Church

We arrived at Gwinnett Center just in time and I was able to grab a few koozies at the merch table before we headed down to our seats. I feel like I did a pretty fabulous job picking out seats for an arena I’ve visited once.

I was a little worried about the Halestorm set because I brought my 60+ year old parents with me. I kept looking over at them to make sure they were doing okay. My mom finally said “We grew up in the 1970s with heavy metal!” Well excuse me… according to my dad Lzzy is badass. Her drummer struggled a little with catching his drumsticks. I think he dropped more than he caught. Don’t worry buddy, I refused to twirl and throw sticks during my drumline days because I know I’ll smack myself in the face. Then Lzzy announced he was her little brother Arejay and gave him about a 5 minute drum solo. He redeemed himself. He was all over the place, jumping up and down, jumping on the drum set, and then… he pulled out a pair of jumbo drumsticks that were at least 3ft long. He twirled those and caught em. So I’d like to see a show where Arejay uses just the jumbo sticks. Halestorm’s set list include Freak Like Me, I Get Off, Love Bites, Miss The Misery and they ended with Here’s To Us. Lzzy Hale is a badass. A freaking badass. I hated that her set had to be so short. I usually spend so much time in a country music bubble but I could listen to that hard rock & metal all night. Luckily I knew she’d make another appearance!

I’m going to be completely honest with you. I was not looking forward to Dwight Yoakam’s set. I actually thought he would be the first opener so I didn’t mind if we’d be running late or stuck in the merch/beer lines. Boy was I surprised. I actually did miss the first few songs being in the beer line (they ran out!) but what I did hear I really enjoyed. His band was decked out in rhinestone jackets. One guitarist even resembled Elvis! Dwight was rockin’ the Denim Dan look with bedazzled music notes on the back of his jacket. And his dance moves? While singing his left leg would start goin’ ham. Then he’d do a little sliding jig in a circle during instrumental breaks. I was surprised at his age, his voice still held out remarkably. He even added a little rock flare to fit in with the times and the tour feel. The crowd was completely into it. About 75% of those who made it into their seats by his set were on their feet. Fans of all ages were singing and dancing. By the end of his set I decided I could definitely see him again.

I made it back to my seat from the beer line (when they ran out) just in time for Eric Church. I was brainstorming ideas of how he would make his entrance. I thought something funky was going on with the bottom of the big video screen. So I imagined he would descend down onto the stage in smoke. However, he came from backstage. But then, the freaking drummer & drum set came out of the video board. How I missed the fact that there was no drum set on the stage is a mystery to me. That was pretty badass.

Eric started off the show with The Outsiders. This is a song I listen to every morning as I wake up, ever since I watched the live performance on the awards show, although the recorded track just doesn’t do it justice. The only way to really hear this song is live. Next up was Creepin’ which if you have not seen the video of the adorable 3 year old singing along to Creepin’ you need to google that now. I think of him every time I hear it. Guys Like Me was next, along with What I Almost Was, I’m Gettin’ Stoned, Talladega, and Pledge Allegiance to the Hag.

At some point in the early stages of the show, a fan got Eric’s attention with mini bottles of Jack Daniels. Of course Eric had to stop for a toast.

I think this guy is my favorite band member. I noticed him during the Austin City Limits special last month. He has a ridiculous power stance. And I believe he was wearing that American Flag tank too. #Merica. He was so much fun. You could really tell he enjoys his job. He loved keeping the fans pumped up all night long.

Eric explained to us that this was the part of the show that decided how the rest of the night would go. If we were awful he’d pack up and leave. If we were awesome, he’d play until got kicked out. He started with our side of the arena. “I’m ready to roll if you wanna rock again…..” and the crowd finished out with “all you gotta do is put a drink in my hand.” I’m not sure which section of the arena was loudest, but together? Lawd Jesus! Obviously we’d be staying there all night. Next up was the fan pick of the night. A man named Tony chose Hungover and Hard Up. All Eric could do was laugh because he knew that’s how he’d feel Friday morning. Next was Jack Daniels and Cold One. I really love Cold One, it’s just got this awesome sound to it.

The moment of the night! I saw the crew put the second mic out. Eric came back from behind the stage. I could hear the familiar beat of That’s Damn Rock and Roll. I completely ignored him though (sorry!). I just kept waiting and waiting and finally Lzzy came back out! Those two together are insanely badass! I really hope they collaborate soon. Next Eric slowed it down with Give Me Back My Hometown and Homeboy. Then he explained how this latest album (The Outsiders) was the first one he sat down and wrote being a father. So out came Dark Side.

I knew the large creepy devil was coming. I thought it would pop up from behind the stage so I kept standing on my toes scanning the length of the stage, back and forth and back and forth. Finally I get tapped on the shoulder because the devil pops out of the back of the arena. A HUGE DEVIL. That rotates! This thing would give a child nightmares, but it was awesome. Yes, the song came complete with the prelude, recorded as a haunted video and played over the video board.

After Devil, Devil they performed Country Music Jesus, Smoke A Little Smoke, How ‘Bout You, Longer Gone, and Lotta Boot Left to Fill. Some fans got a little confused with this one. They heard boot and started pulling off a boot to pump in the air. Luckily they were only a song early.

I have never ripped my boot off my foot so fast. That’s hard to do without a boot pull. But I succeeded (without help) and proudly pumped my boot in the air, switching hands a few times.

Eric became the boot master. A drunk girl on the upper level (who we watched all night because we were so sure she’d tumble over the railing) above the stage threw her boot down to him. He grabbed an awesome confederate flag boot from someone in the front of the pit. Then all of a sudden boots started flying. He was dodging them left and right before making it over to our side of the arena with his new collection.

I noticed halfway through the show that Joanna Cotten made it on stage. She has such a powerhouse voice! So I was hoping they’d perform Over When It’s Over, which they did! They really had a lot of fun with it, and competed all night with who could hold that high note the longest. The last song of the night was Springsteen’s My Hometown leading into Springsteen. I think he ended with a perfect song, making sure we left that night connecting a melody with a memory. And yes, ending right there. No encore. Nope. None. We were shocked. The band left the stage, slowly the crew started breaking down, and the lights turned back on. Everyone stood there for a minute or two looking dumbfounded. I texted a friend who was at a show last weekend and she confirmed there was no encore (due to another event at the venue the next day). Well, this only means one thing… until next time!

The torrential rain had passed and Maren Morris had warmed the night with a red hot performance consisting of (almost) her entire debut album, Hero. Scalpers had been dealt with, Dales and Jack Daniels had been consumed by the gallon, and the crowd was growing restless. Anticipation weighed heavy as old-school flyers (black-and-white paper advertising shows at the Ryman, Bowery Ballroom, etc.) flew across the side screen. The flyers took us through the years in which Church climbed from dive bars to arenas. Then Clutch’s “Electric Worry” blasted over the PA, while a clock counted down the seconds until “Eric Church at Red Rocks”. Then the man himself appeared on the screen to announce the 2017 “Holdin’ My Own Tour”; two sets each night, in 60 different cities, with the Church Choir getting preferential presale opportunities. Then finally, at 9:40pm, the man himself appeared on stage to open things up with “Mistress Named Music”.

Not being a fan of most mainstream country artists these days, I was absolutely floored when he proceeded to perform without the cover of a band. “Mistress” segued into Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock”, which led into Loggins and Messina’s “Danny’s Song” with some Little Feat and Billy Joel thrown in. Then he tackled a verse from George Strait’s “Troubadour”, before wrapping the whole thing back around with “not quite the buzz I used to tie on at the Grizzly Rose.” The mere mention of that local honky tonk sent the Colorado Choir into a frenzy as Eric Church just continued on, like some guy strumming a guitar in the corner of the bar.

A simple wooden backdrop stood behind a few scattered instruments. A skull, a few decorations, and some candles gave the impression of an old church, or barn, or maybe both. Friends and family members (including his two young sons) could be seen in the background, but for the time being, Church was alone at the front of the stage. “Mr. Misunderstood” was performed completely acoustic, with nothing to augment his voice expect for simple guitar strings and the echo of the crowd during the final verse (“I understand”). We were 5th row center, so I can’t speak to how it translated in the upper sections, but those of us in front were under a spell that would not be broken until the show ended sometime around midnight.

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I absolutely adore Eric Church. I have the biggest crush on him ever. He has an amazing voice and he seems like a totally down to Earth kind of guy.

His music is awesome. His song "Springsteen" reminds me of being young and meeting my now husband. I love that he interacts with the crowd and seems to have just as good of a time as we do.

The venue was kind of hot, but with so many people it's not surprising. Everybody was singing along with him and dancing where the was room to do so. He makes it feel like you are at a family or friends house having a party, only instead of a radio or DJ you've got him.

His vocals are astounding and his band is also great. The speakers were not the best at the venue, but that's not his fault and it wasn't so bad that it took away for his performance. He has so much energy when he is performing, it pumps everybody in the crowd up to. He is the kind of artist that makes it plainly obvious that he loves what he does. Singing and making music is more than just a job for him. I cannot wait to see him again.

Eric is an amazing performer. He plays to the audience and is apparent how much fun & enjoyment he has while performing. He started at 8:25 p.m., took a 20 minute intermission and then performed until 11:45 p.m. I believe he sang in excess of 30 songs. His band & backup singer were absolutely wonderful.It was a night I will have in my memory forever. I loved every part of his performance.
The only negative of the night was all of the drunk audience members. Their vulgar language, lack of respect for their surroundings & others were disappointing. But thanks to Eric & his performance made it tolerable.

I traveled from El Paso, Tx specifically for this concert. I must say, I was so impressed! The acoustics sounded top notch. I was lucky enough to win a meet and greet and I enjoyed meeting him. I think he was surprised by my question of Kemper vs Fractal but he answered it! I love love love Eric Church and he did not disappoint. My only suggestion would be to do something different with the lights because in section 302, it seemed at times they were right in my eyes and it made it quite uncomfortable. I would definitely see him again!

Thank you Eric Church!
Truly an amazing show tonight. I have zero disappointment after 2 whole sets! I heard everything I asked for and he gave us so much more! Wow...True performer that loves what he does and appreciates his fans. That Minneapolis crowd brought it- crazy energy and nothing but love filled that room-a little feel good for the soul! Lol!
Thank you again...can't wait for my birthday in Montreal to see him again!

Eric Church was the first ever country concert I've been to.. He rocked it hard... The BEST concert I've ever been to.. His music has helped me through an extremely hard time in my life and I love him. I'm greatful for him and his music... I can't wait to see him again. I hope I get a chance to tell him face to face how he's helped me over come my trials and tribulations.. god bless him and the group and his family...

Eric put on a spectacular show last night in Dallas on his Double Down Tour. He hit the stage around 8:30, took a 20 min break in the middle & played till almost midnight. Very high energy! Wonderful light show! My 2nd EFC concert & my family with me was there 4th. We also have tickets in June to see him in Washington. I can’t wait. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend going to his concert.

Eric Church put on a fantastic show! He played all of his hits and even took requests from the crowd! When he played "These Boots" he autographed a couple of the boots that were thrown on stage and gave them back to the owner! So personal! You could tell he was having a great time up there! A real raw, rockin country show and we will definitely see him again - no doubt!!!

To start off I have to say that he did a fantastic concert - 3rd time I saw him and was far from disappointed - energetic and gets the crowd going, the only downside was with the v.I.p songs we had to wait so long to wait for him to come out but as soon as he stepped out it was electric - the room blew up! Overall Great!