SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – (Feb. 1, 2015) – Eric Church knows what a bummer it is to have your Saturday night plans ruined by a concert cancelation. So rather than pull the plug last minute on his show in Salt Lake City Saturday night after a stomach bug knocked out most of his band and crew, Church gave the crowd something special and promised them more to come.
“If you’ve seen our show so far on this tour, you’re probably wondering what the hell is going on right now. Well, so am I,” Church told the crowd. “Here’s the deal: Yesterday we had the stomach flu strike our band, our crew, everyone. We had no one to hang video, lights, nothing. But I’m still here. I’m still standing. We’ve talked about how every show on THE OUTSIDERS TOUR is different. Well, tonight will be the most different one. Shit there’s nobody left. It’s just me. I’m going to give you everything I got.”
He then announced he’d be back Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, with a full band, and launched into a mostly solo set alone on a stage built for eight with just his acoustic guitar. He gave his fans a stripped-down performance reminiscent of his days as a scrappy club performer. Back then, Church would give his band a break during their six-hour sets and hold the stage alone.
Halestorm opened the show with a full 45-minute set. The production and stage were scaled back – only four spotlights and a minimal floor lighting package showcased Church in this unique setting. Guitar players Jeff Hyde, Jeff Cease and Driver Williams joined Church for a few songs and Lzzy Hale came onstage for a remarkable acoustic rendition of ‘That’s Damn Rock and Roll.’ Church worked six mic positions (scaled back from the normal 14), still performing to every section of the 360-degree setup.
Saturday’s complete set list is as follows:
‘Talladega’
‘Drink In My Hand’
‘Guys Like Me’
‘How ‘Bout You’
‘I’m Getting Stoned’
‘Creepin’’
‘Like Jesus Does’
‘Cold One’
‘Livin’ Part Of Life’
‘Give Me Back My Hometown’
‘That’s Damn Rock and Roll’
‘Before She Does’
‘Homeboy’
‘These Boots’
‘Like A Wrecking Ball’
‘Jack Daniels’
‘Smoke A Little Smoke’
‘Thunder Road’
‘Springsteen’
Eric will bring his tour to the TD Garden in Boston on April 30th! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 6th with pre-sale tickets for the Church Choir going on sale Tuesday, February 3rd.
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell