By Ethan Chivari<\/p>\n
The evening began with a single white spotlight focused on a single microphone stand with a recording of Jeff Buckley\u2019s version of the late Leonard Cohen\u2019s \u201cHallelujah\u201d playing over the speakers, this signaled that Church was in session.<\/p>\n
Church always does things his way. His three-hour, 37-song, no-opening-act marathon Thursday night April 13) at sold-out Allstate Arena in Rosemont featured every selection from his latest Mr. Misunderstood album, eight songs each from Chief and Sinners Like Me, six from The Outsiders and five from Carolina.<\/p>\n
Chief took the stage by himself with an acoustic guitar in hand, kicking off the show with \u201cMistress Named Music.\u201d After a verse and chorus, Church\u2019s band suddenly appeared at the back of the stage.<\/p>\n
Church then put the pedal to the floor, tearing through \u201cThat\u2019s Damn Rock & Roll,\u201d the noisy, snarling \u201cThe Outsiders\u201d and the roaring, \u201cKnives of New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the long evening, Church energetically ran around the backdrop-free stage with its semi-circular runway (with diehard fans in the pit). There were microphone stands located at various spots on the stage, so fans on the sides and behind the stage got up-close attention.<\/p>\n
A four-sided video screen was suspended over the stage, offering tight shots of those aviator shades and that crooked Church smile. All the video footage was in black and white except during the encore number \u201cHoldin\u2019 My Own,\u201d which offered full-color close-ups of Church. Similarly, the lighting scheme during most of the concert was white, though in the second act there were splashes of red, green, blue and even orange at times.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most over-the-top reaction was for the hits from Mr. Misunderstood, namely the title cut and \u201cRecord Year.\u201d Two other selections from that album, the funky \u201cChattanooga Lucy\u201d and the cry-in-your-shot-glass \u201cMixed Drinks About Feelings,\u201d were big winners as well, thanks partly to the contributions of backup singer Joanna Cotten, who was only introduced by name a few times.<\/p>\n
Church didn’t talk much during the 3 hour, 39 song setlist, he gave the fans a concert experience they won’t forget about.<\/p>\n
For more on Eric Church, click here<\/a><\/p>\n