Verizon Center // Washington, D.C. [3.10.2015]
Mohegan Sun Arena // Wilkes-Barre, PA [3.13.215]
If you don’t have plans to see The Chief on this leg of The Outsiders World Tour, you should buy your tickets now!
Drive By Truckers //
For the two shows I saw, Eric only had one band opening for him. Drive By Truckers have a classic southern rock meets country sound. The band would switch up the lead signer a few times throughout their set and would frequently stop singing and talk through the song much like some of the greats once did.
Eric Church //
My current cold can be pin pointed to waiting in line for this show and let me say it is totally worth the pain!
We have seen Eric three times before this show, but always in the nosebleeds. Waiting in line, I still couldn’t believe that I was going to be one of the first ten people in the arena. Front row for Eric Church.
Unlike most acts who walk out once their band has hit the stage, Church walks out on an empty stage as a sole light illuminates his silhouette.
As the familiar tones of The Outsiders play, Eric finds his position at the center mic. Once he has played the first verse, his band joins him on stage.
Because Church walks out on an empty stage, he had to get creative with the drum set, which descends from behind the screens above the stage, drummer and all.
The Chief’s show grew stronger and louder with every minute. He played a variety of his hits, but more importantly, back tracks.
At one point Church points out that “tonight’s not about the songs that you may or may not have heard on the radio…”
Church’s crew pulls fans from throughout the venue to give them access to a special pit within the stage. One fan is selected to choose one song from a list the band will play; Friday night, Eric cleverly referred to it as “stump the band.” The D.C. fan chose the first song on the first album, Before She Does. The PA fan chose Keep On.
Towards the middle of his show, Church had his band step off the stage in order for Church to get a little personal with the crowd as his explains the importance of being a father. Church began playing Dark Side as several illuminated light bulbs descend from the ceiling.
Next, Church steps off stage as a trippy pre-recorded video of himself talking through the Prelude: Princess of Darkness before coming back out on stage for Devil, Devil. Church tells off that devil, as only this Country Music Jesus can.
The Chief closes out the show with a song that explains what music means to him, Springsteen. Church stops before that last chorus to make sure his fans know the importance of a song, of a melody, and most importantly, the moment that is captured.
Don’t worry Eric Church, the moment, the melody, and the memory that you create at your shows with your music, is forever captured in the hearts of your fans.
Church made a promise to his fans to make every show unique. Below are the set lists from the two shows and the evidence speaks for itself. The Chief switches up the order of certain songs and has songs that are exclusive to each show.
What I Wore //
Night 1 // Black jeans, black tank from LTB [License to Boot], a black vest. Outside the venue, I needed my black leather jacket and American flag scarf from Free People to stay warm.
Night 2 // Black jeans, black tank from Free Your Heart Apparel, denim long sleeve button down. Just like the first show, I needed my black leather Jacket from H&M and my American flag scarf to keep warm.
Side Note: On the second night, I was not warm [at all].
