Eric Church Confronts “Monsters” on Free The Machine Tour Stop in Columbus

Eric Church used the second night of his Free The Machine Tour in Columbus on September 15 to debut a raw, stripped-down performance of “Monsters,” reflecting on recent violence and the nation’s uncertainty.

In an unplanned acoustic moment, Church channeled the emotional turmoil of the past week into his 2019 ballad, addressing both personal fears and broader challenges facing America.

Tour Reflections on a Tumultuous Week Church paused his high-octane show at Nationwide Arena to explain why he chose “Monsters” for an intimate spotlight. Recalling his three-year-old son’s fear of bedtime shadows, he drew a parallel between childhood worries and the “monsters” wrought by real-world tragedies. “If only we had to worry about monsters under beds,” he said, “we’d be in good shape.”

Surprise Stripped-Down Performance Abandoning elaborate production, Church performed “Monsters” with minimal instrumentation, marking a departure from his stadium-rock routines. Fans witnessed a vulnerable side of the country star as he navigated the song’s haunting lyrics, earning a standing ovation before the set resumed its electric momentum.

“F****** Nuts” Opener Story Later in the evening, Church shared a humorous backstage anecdote involving Kenny Chesney. He revealed that when he announced plans to open a show years ago with his smash hit “Springsteen,” Chesney laughed and asked, “Are you f****** nuts?” The 8x platinum singer admitted the risky choice epitomizes his unwillingness to follow country-music conventions.

Setlist Highlights and Tour Dates

• Philadelphia, PA: Sept 18 at Wells Fargo Center (with Elle King)
• Boston, MA: Sept 19 at TD Garden (with Elle King)
• Brooklyn, NY: Sept 20 at Barclays Center (with Elle King)

Church’s Free The Machine Tour continues through mid-November, blending arena-rock spectacles with unexpected, soulful interludes.