Eric Church – Grand Casino Arena – St. Paul MN – February 7th 2026

Live Nation and Grand Casino Arena present Eric Church

Review by Kyle Hansen – Photos by Anthony D’Angio

Opening for Eric Church at Grand Casino Arena is no small assignment, but Ella Langley handled the moment with confidence and grit. Walking onto a stage built for arena-level drama, Langley didn’t try to oversell herself or mimic the headliner’s larger-than-life energy. Instead, she leaned into what she does best: sharp songwriting, a tough-around-the-edges vocal, and an unapologetic country attitude.

Her set felt tight and purposeful, wasting no time getting to the point. Langley’s voice cut clearly through the arena mix, carrying a mix of Southern bite and emotional restraint that translated well even in a massive room. Songs rooted in heartbreak and self-awareness landed with surprising weight for an opening slot, drawing genuine attention from a crowd still filtering in and settling down.

Stage presence was another highlight. Langley moved comfortably across the stage, engaging without forcing banter or theatrics. She came across as self-assured and grounded — the kind of performer who knows she doesn’t need gimmicks to win over an audience. By the middle of her set, it was clear she had shifted from background music to a performer people were actively watching.

The crowd response reflected that shift. Applause grew warmer as the set went on, and by the final songs, Langley had clearly earned her place on the night’s lineup. She didn’t try to steal the show from Eric Church — she set it up, creating a solid emotional runway for what was to come.

Overall, Ella Langley’s opening performance at Grand Casino Arena was confident, polished, and effective. It showcased an artist who feels ready for bigger stages and bigger moments, proving she’s more than just an opener — she’s a rising name who knows how to command attention, even in an arena built for someone else.

Eric Church doesn’t do “normal,” and his February 7th stop at Grand Casino Arena proved it once again. The show felt less like a standard arena country concert and more like a carefully controlled slow burn — deliberate, layered, and unapologetically his.

Instead of sprinting out with radio hits, Church opened the night by leaning hard into his newer, more experimental material. The pacing was intentional, almost challenging at times, but it rewarded patience. The sound was massive and textured, built around a large ensemble that went far beyond a typical country band. Choir-style backing vocals, horns, and strings added a gospel-meets-Southern-rock weight that filled the arena and gave the performance a cinematic feel.

Church himself was in no rush. He stalked the stage in his trademark sunglasses and hat, letting songs breathe and stretching arrangements well past their recorded versions. Vocally, he was strong all night — gritty when needed, restrained when it served the song — especially during darker, more introspective moments that leaned into themes of faith, doubt, and rebellion.

The second half of the show shifted gears. That’s when the crowd really erupted as Church dug into fan favorites. Songs like “Desperate Man,” “Drink in My Hand,” and “Springsteen” snapped the arena into party mode, balancing the heavier front end with pure, fist-pumping release. Even then, nothing felt rushed or formulaic; Church let the moments unfold naturally, often extending instrumental sections and feeding off the crowd’s energy.

Hits sprinkled throughout the set hinted at his wide-ranging influences, blending rock, outlaw country, and Americana into a sound that felt bigger than genre labels. It reinforced the idea that Eric Church isn’t interested in fitting neatly into country music’s expectations — he’s carving his own lane.

By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear this wasn’t a hits parade designed for casual fans. It was a statement show. Long, ambitious, sometimes unconventional — but deeply satisfying for anyone willing to go along for the ride.

Final verdict: Eric Church’s Grand Casino Arena performance was bold, immersive, and stubbornly authentic. It may not have been the easiest crowd-pleaser, but it was a reminder of why he remains one of country music’s most compelling live performers: he plays by his own rules, and he makes you listen.

Setlist – Hands of Time – Bleed on Paper – Johnny – Storm in there Blood – Darkest Hour – Evangeline – Rocket’s White Launch – Clap Hands – Desperate Man – Stick That in Your Country Song – Smoke a Little Smoke – Homeboy – Kill a Word – Give Me Back My Hometown- Creepin’ – Sinners Like Me – Mr. Misunderstood – Hell of a View – Springsteen – Drink in My Hand – Record Year – Cold One – Round Here Buzz – Pledge Allegiance to the Hag – Holdin’ My Own – Mixed Drinks About Feeling – Jackson – Atlantic City – These Boots – Through My Ray-bans