The country star reunited with long-time collaborator Joanna Cotten for the set

Eric Church has always done things his way, and his headlining performance at Stagecoach 2024 on Friday (Apr 26th) was no exception. In a ballsy move, Church surprised festivalgoers with a disruptive, unexpected acoustic performance that consisted of a 75-minute non-stop gospel-influenced medley.

His seventh time playing the festival – and fifth time headlining – he took the sold-out crowd back to the foundation of where it all started for him musically. With an acoustic guitar and a 16-person choir that included longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten, the 75-minute non-stop Gospel-influenced set opened with “Hallelujah” and included covers “Take Me To The River,” “Stand By Me,” “Danny’s Song” and “Gin and Juice” threaded with tones of Mr. Misunderstood’s “Mistress Named Music” and Heart & Soul’s “Heart On Fire” throughout creating a full-fledged Outsiders revival, only to be concluded by his band rising from beneath the stage to join on the final few songs.

“This was the most difficult set I have ever attempted,” Church admits. “I’ve always found that taking it back to where it started, back to chasing who Bob Seger loves, who Springsteen loves, who Willie Nelson loves, you chase it back to the origin. The origin of all that is still the purest form of it. And we don’t do that as much anymore. It felt good at this moment to go back, take a choir and do that.”

On the boundary-pushing set, Church adds, “For me, it’s always been something with records, with performances, I’ve always been the one that’s like, ‘let’s do something really, really strange and weird and take a chance.’ Sometimes it doesn’t work, but it’s okay if you’re living on that edge, because that edge, that cutting edge, is where all the new guys are going to gravitate to anyway. So if you can always challenge yourself that way, it always cuts sharper than any other edge.”

The move wasn’t popular among attendees, with many complaining on social media.

“@Stagecoach we paid $600 to see a headline where people are mass leaving… @ericchurch is a legend, but he hasn’t gotten off the stool and most songs are covers with the choir. This isn’t what we came for,” one person writes.

“I’m a giant @ericchurch fan…been to 20+ shows…but this performance is insulting and I’ll never spend another dime seeing him again. @Stagecoach,” another writes.

“Eric Church woke up and said fu$% it, I’m doing what I want tonight at #Stagecoach,” another adds.

“#Stagecoach Dear @ericchurch ….nobody wants to wants to hear your virtue signaling. Congratulations , you’ve insulted your fans….I hope you feel better about your fucking self. Good lord. Get over yourself,” another shares.

Despite the backlash, some are praising the Chief for his outlaw decision.

“Lots of hate tonight for #EricChurch’s set at #Stagecoach. I don’t know a ton about him, I know the hits, that’s about it. I enjoyed the set, it might be the most punk rock thing to ever happen at Stagecoach. ‘Oh, you expected a greatest hits set? Here’s what I’m actually doing.'” one user shares.

“Agreed 💯 @ericchurch was amazing and shoutout to his amazing band and outstanding backup singers !!! So fuxking punk rock I am living for it !!!! #Stagecoach,” one user comments.

“By far the best @ericchurch performance to date. #Stagecoach crowd no idea whether to sing or just watch his brilliance. Creeping into Amazing Grace. Set the tone with gospel music at the beginning,” another adds.

“Props to @ericchurch for keeping it real and bringing true artistry to @Stagecoach. He’s played there twice before so it was time to change it up. Masterful performance weaving in and out of spiritual tunes, soul tunes, hip hop, and his own songs. To all the haters, grow a pair,” another states.

The performance was livestreamed on Amazon Music.