Eric Church Reflects On A Decade Of Change In Music And Performance

It has been 10 years sinceEric Church released his debut album Sinners Like Me. In this decade, much has transformed not only in his live performances but also in his perspectives regarding retirement. Recently, the WE Fest headliner opened up about his thoughts on possibly stepping away from music or choosing to continue his exhilarating journey.

During a candid conversation, Church stated, “I would have told you around the Chief record that I was going to retire someday.” He reflected on this significant phase of his career, describing it as “the most successful, but weirdest, time I’ve ever had.” Transitioning from a bar or club act to suddenly performing in arenas presents unique challenges that can be difficult for any artist to navigate.

Church expressed that this success brought about a “tough transition,” highlighting the pressure he felt to play all of his hits at every concert. He admitted to feeling insecure when faced with larger audiences, unsure of how to connect with them. This ironic twist in his journey made certain periods less enjoyable, showcasing the complex nature of fame and performance.

As Church's career progressed, he became more comfortable with his next two albums, The Outsiders and Mr. Misunderstood. The freedom to take song requests and play a wider selection of tracks allowed him to enjoy performing live much more than in the earlier Chief years. This newfound confidence has enabled him to adapt his shows, making them more relaxed and unpredictable, which he finds immensely fulfilling.

Looking forward, Church has expressed a desire to continue performing indefinitely. He stated, “Now I’ll tell you that I’ll probably do it forever. I enjoy it differently than I did four or five years ago; it was more of a grind then to do the same show every night, and it irritated me.” This perspective showcases his growth as an artist and his evolving enjoyment of live performances.

Church is set to take the stage at WE Fest 2016, headlining Thursday night (Aug. 4), where he will once again showcase his incredible journey and musical evolution.

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