Fans go to 'Church' Saturday at Faster Horses Festival

CAMBRIDGE TWP — "Church" was held at Faster Horses on Saturday night with Eric Church headlining the second night of the sold-out event at Michigan International Speedway.

The set started with one of his more recent singles “Stick That In Your Country Song.” He followed that with a slower paced “Mistress Named Music” that the crowd seemed to love. Church kept fans engaged with his newest song, “Heart On Fire,” then “Desperate Man.” Fans were tossing beach balls and glow sticks through the crowd and one attendee even held up a set of crutches to show their support of the talented singer as he sang “Drink in my Hand” and one of the first songs, “How 'Bout You.” “Hell of a View” came next and when his band did the guitar instrumental during “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag,” the crowd began chanting “ERIC … CHURCH!”

An old-school country twang of his guitar began the performance of “Round Here Buzz” and led into “Homeboy.” The festival field was feverish as he played “Smoke a Little Smoke” but quieted down as the stage went dark and he explained that the next song, “Talladega,” was written in Michigan at a NASCAR race.

Photos: 2022 Faster Horses Festival Friday

Photos: 2022 Faster Horses Festival Saturday

Fans showed the modern-day country outlaw some serious love throughout the night as he continued performing hits such as “Record Year,” “Some of It,” “Mr. Misunderstood,” and “Creepin’.” He was still going strong at 11:15 with “Cold One” and the crowd sounded like a backup choir as they sang along to “Give Me Back My Hometown.”

“Springsteen” was the next chart-topper he performed and wowed the audience by strolling down into the crowd and talking to them in the middle of the song. Church talked about what he missed most during the pandemic was “being gathered together, singing together, just being together” and added “Michigan” to the lyrics of the song when it talks about a “July Saturday night.”

At half past 11, the crowd was cheering for an encore and chanting "ERIC! ERIC!” as they thought he was finished for the evening. Church did not disappoint his fans as he told them, “This shows how great this area is and how great this crowd is. As you know, I am kind of known for going off the script so if you’re tired, feel free,” and went ahead to perform “Holdin' My Own” and “Chevy Van.”

He finished an incredible show by saying, “I love Faster Horses. Thank You,” and exited the stage.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Eric Church performs Saturday at Faster Horses