February 13th really can’t get here fast enough.
At this point, it’s no secret that Eric Church knows his way around a live album. Back in 2017, during the now-legendary Holdin’ My Own Tour, Church did something almost unheard of: 62 shows in five months, no opening acts, two full sets every night with an intermission. Fans were treated to well over three hours of music, night after night.
For many, that stretch marked the absolute peak of the Chief’s touring career—not just because of the sheer volume of shows, but because of how much he gave every single crowd.
That run eventually birthed the massive 61 Days in Church live series, spanning five volumes and an eye-popping 160 tracks. Nearly every song in his catalog up through Mr. Misunderstood received multiple live versions. But beyond that, the project stood out for its wildly diverse cover selections. From Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” and Willie Nelson’s “Me and Paul” to The Band’s “The Weight” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “The Ballad of Curtis Loew,” Church left no stone unturned.
Now, somehow, he’s aiming even higher.
In 2026, Church is set to make his IMAX debut with his first-ever concert film—paired with a brand-new live album to match.
Evangeline vs. the Machine Comes Alive
Recorded over two unforgettable nights at The Pinnacle in Nashville earlier this year, Evangeline vs. the Machine Comes Alive captures what Church himself described as one of the most powerful live experiences of his career. The album features the entire Evangeline vs. the Machine record performed front to back, along with standout tracks from across his catalog like “Sinners Like Me,” “Desperate Man,” “Hell of a View,” and, of course, “Springsteen.”
“I’ve played a lot of shows,” Church said. “I’ve never had two nights like these where the room felt literally transported. We went to a different plane—musically, artistically, emotionally. I’ll remember it forever.”
Ahead of the full release, Church has already shared live versions of “Knives of New Orleans,” “Desperate Man,” “Bleed On Paper,” and “Hell of a View.” And with the film and album just weeks away, he’s now offering one last preview—this time with his 2014 hit, “Give Me Back My Hometown.”
A New Take on a Familiar Song
Co-written with longtime collaborator Luke Laird, “Give Me Back My Hometown” was released in January 2014 as the second single from The Outsiders. It went on to become one of just seven solo Eric Church songs to hit #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
While it may not be considered a core deep-cut by diehard fans, the song remains one of his most popular—ranking as his 12th most-streamed solo track on Spotify with more than 80 million streams. It also earned major award recognition, including Song of the Year nominations at both the CMA and ACM Awards, plus a nod for Best Country Song at the Grammys.
This new live version, however, gives the song an entirely fresh feel. Rather than diving straight into the familiar intro, Church lets his choir set the tone first. When the song finally kicks in, it builds into something massive. Between the fan shout during the pre-chorus and the choir harmonizing with Church on the extended outro, it feels downright cinematic—easily one of the strongest live takes of the track to date.
If this is any indication of what’s coming, Evangeline vs. the Machine Comes Alive is shaping up to be something truly special when it hits theaters next month.
Evangeline vs. the Machine Comes Alive — Tracklist
Hands of Time
Bleed on Paper
Johnny
Storm in Their Blood
Darkest Hour
Evangeline
Rocket’s White Lincoln
Clap Hands
Desperate Man
Give Me Back My Hometown
Homeboy
Sinners Like Me
Creepin’
Knives of New Orleans
Smoke a Little Smoke
The Outsiders
Hell of a View
Mistress Named Music
Springsteen
(All recorded live at The Pinnacle, Nashville — May 24, 2025)
2026 Free the Machine Tour (Select Dates)
Eric Church is also hitting the road in early 2026 with an all-star lineup of support acts including Ella Langley, 49 Winchester, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ashley McBryde, and more.
From Washington, D.C. to Tampa, Florida, the Chief is once again packing arenas—and if the live previews are any sign, fans are in for another unforgettable chapter.
February 13th can’t come soon enough.