Country star Eric Church played two nights at Van Andel Arena, with shout-outs to GR. Shinedown and other stars also made fan-pleasing tour stops across West Michigan. The photo roundup at Local Spins.
Praising His Days at The Intersection: Eric Church during the first of two shows at Van Andel Arena. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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Eric Church may be a huge country star now — one big enough to play two straight nights at a 12,000-capacity venue like Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena — but he was once an earnest, up-and-coming singer building a devoted audience at nightclubs like The Intersection.
And he hasn’t forgotten that journey or those that helped him along the way.
After Friday night’s arena appearance as part of his “Double Down” tour — the first of two shows — Intersection general manager Scott Hammontree used Facebook to post a photo of Church wearing an Intersection T-shirt on stage, remarking: “The one and only Eric Church wearing his Intersection T-shirt tonight … a bunch of shoutouts to The Intersection during the show. Super proud to have had him in the early days. He has always done it the right way.”
Touring Behind ‘Desperate Man’: He played tracks from the album both nights. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
Other fans piped up, too.
“I remember him giving you shoutouts last time he was here,” commented Krista Jackson. “Some people don’t forget where they came from.”
“Class act,” wrote Dustin Yoder. “And amazing he represented one of GR’s best venues.”
“It was awesome like always,” raved fan Jessica Bradley. “Thanks for a great time.” Penny Moore even called it “the best concert ever. My favorite man!”
Church himself posted on Facebook after the first show: “Night 1 was full of great times, old friends and new memories. Put a drink in your hand and let’s do it again tonight, Grand Rapids!”
To his credit, Church played lengthy two-set shows each night, rolling out more than 30 songs each time with a host of different tunes — giving those fans who really did “Double Down” a different experience at each concert.
He even gave another huge nod to Michigan on Night 2, playing a medley of rocker Bob Seger’s songs to close out the first set.
Check out the set lists from each night below.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eric Church at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Eric Stoike
Eric Church wasn’t the only game in town, so to speak.
Mungion (Photo/Anna Sink)
West Michigan’s week of music rocked early with Shinedown, Papa Roach and Asking Alexandria at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, followed by a “Vintage Thursday” with Lee Ann Womack at St. Cecilia Music Center, Steve Hackett at 20 Monroe Live and Devotchka/The Joy Formidable at The Pyramid Scheme, and a Kalamazoo tour stop by “Michigan songbird” May Erlewine and her band as she promotes her powerful new album, “Second Sight.” (She played Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids on Sunday night.)
There was also a 1989 Tribute at The Pyramid Schme, and fall festivals to behold, with Cedar Springs Brewing’s CSBrew-toberfest (starring The Bootstrap Boys on Saturday night) taking place during Red Flannel Festival, Mungion, Sam Williams and more playing Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids as part of its Harvest Festival, and of course, the annual Pulaski Days celebration at 14 Grand Rapids halls. Check out the images here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Shinedown, Papa Roach at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Pennie Spence
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
