Southern California fans had the potential to listen to a combined seven hours of live music from Eric Church this weekend.
His two shows at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles were comprised of radio hits, album cuts, fan favorites, and classic rock and country covers; a handful of songs repeated each night, but with enough differences in the setlist to still be interesting to fans who attended both nights.
Backed by a solid band and the supremely talented Joanna Cotten on backing vocals (and on lead for a couple songs each evening), Eric had no opening act, just two sets of him for both nights, completely enrapturing the audience, which is no small feat.
Armed with props, audience members held up their own footwear while he sang "These Boots;" they could be seen proudly holding American flags during "Pledge Allegiance to the Hag," and a few well-prepared fans presented "The Chief" with vinyl copies of Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger," earlier copies of Eric's own albums, as well as collections by Bruce Springsteen, and The Outlaws, which he graciously signed during "Record Year."
Setlist:
Night One:
Set One:
1. That's Damn Rock & Roll
2. Desperate Man
3. How 'Bout You
4. Mr. Misunderstood
5. Cold One
6. Over When It's Over
7. Round Here Buzz
8. Drink in My Hand
9. Carolina
10. Homeboy
11. Before She Does
12. Talladega
13. Keep On
14. The Outsiders
Set Two:
15. The Snake
16. Knives of New Orleans
17. Record Year
18. Sinners Like Me
19. Pledge Allegiance to the Hag
20. Jack Daniels
21. Higher Wire
22. Mixed Drinks About Feelings
23. Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover, performed by Joanna Cotten)
24. I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink (Merle Haggard cover)
25. Creepin'
26. Some of It
27. Hangin' Around
28. Give Me Back My Hometown
29. These Boots
30. Smoke a Little Smoke
31. Mistress Named Music / Like A Rock / Sitting on the Dock of the Bay / Willin / Have You Ever Seen the Rain / Tiny Dancer / Piano Man
32. Springsteen
Night Two:
Set One:
1. Drowning Man
2. Country Music Jesus
3. That's Damn Rock & Roll
4. Creepin'
5. Round Here Buzz
6. Mr. Misunderstood
7. How 'Bout You / Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way / Black Betty
8. Talladega
9. Hippie Radio
10. Lotta Boot Left to Fill
11. Homeboy
12. Sinners Like Me
13. Cold One
14. Desperate Man
15. Mistress Named Music / Lodi / Gin and Juice / I Love L.A. / L.A. Freeway / Come Monday / Pour Some Sugar On Me / I Love Rock & Roll
Set Two:
16. Knives of New Orleans
17. Chattanooga Lucy
18. Drink in My Hand
19. Record Year
20. Kill a Word
21. Pledge Allegiance to the Hag
22. Jack Daniels
23. Higher Wire
24. Livin' Part of Life
25. Poor Poor Pitiful Me (Linda Ronstadt cover, performed by Joanna Cotten)
26. Some of It
27. Like a Wrecking Ball
28. Give Me Back My Hometown
29. These Boots
30. Smoke a Little Smoke
31. Holdin' My Own
32. Springsteen
33. The Load Out / Stay (Jackson Browne cover)
