Eric Church caused a stir among fans after announcing that he canceled his sold-out performance at San Antonio, TX’s AT&T Center on April 2nd in order to attend an NCAA Final Four basketball game between the University of North Carolina and Duke University.
The country star left nothing unclear in an explanation to his fans: “This Saturday, my family and I are going to stand together to cheer on the Tar Heels as the team has made it to the Final Four. As a lifelong Carolina basketball fan, I’ve watched Carolina and Duke battle over the years but to have them matchup in the Final Four for the first time in history of the NCAA Tournament is any sports enthusiast’s dream.”
In his justification, Church acknowledged that the self-serving decision asks a lot of his fans, whom he refers to as “the Church Choir”: “This is also the most selfish thing I’ve ever asked the Choir to do: to give up your Saturday night plans with us so that I can have this moment with my family and sports community.” Some fans can relate to Church’s enthusiastic support of his favorite team—as the singer noted, “it’s that same type of passion felt by the people who fill the seats at our concerts that makes us want to be part of a crowd at a game of this significance”—but reactions have been mixed.
A rep for Church said reactions to the cancellation on the artist’s Facebook fan page have been “overwhelmingly positive,” but the same cannot be said of the rest of social media. Coby DuBose, a defense lawyer from Houston, wrote, “If you’re obsessed with basketball, don’t schedule a concert during the Final Four.”
Others were less magnanimous in their response: “I will never buy Eric Church tickets, music or anything ever again,” one person tweeted. “My wife’s birthday, first concert since before COVID and #ericchurch gives San Antonio the finger for a basketball game. #ericchurch you are dead to me.”
Another noted, “Thousands of people made plans to see his 4/2 show. Many artists play through injuries and miss important life events for their fans. Not Church. He really might be the biggest douche bag in America.”
Rather than attempting to reschedule the concert, Church has canceled it outright. Ticket holders will receive a full refund, but many made travel plans that cannot be canceled. “How about you refund my f–ing airfare and condo rental too?” one person wrote. “Four day vacation you just sh– on because you’re selfish. As–ole move. Get a DVR and go @DukeMBB.”
Honestly, good for him. I can’t even imagine having almost every weekend of the year planned out a year or two in advance. @ericchurch enjoy the game! https://t.co/KM1IlroXwi
— Marissa Gomez (@marissagomez) March 29, 2022
Eric Church is cancelling a concert so he can watch a basketball game. Thousands of people made plans to see his 4/2 show. Many artists play through injuries and miss important life events for their fans. Not Church. He really might be the biggest douche bag in America. pic.twitter.com/eA7CxXdvm9
— GonzoApp (@GonzoApp) March 29, 2022
I will never buy Eric Church tickets, music or anything ever again. My wife’s birthday, first concert since before COVID and #ericchurch gives San Antonio the finger for a basketball game. #ericchurch you are dead to me.
— I Jessop (@Twitwitt) March 29, 2022
Eric Church is cancelling a concert so he can watch a basketball game. Thousands of people made plans to see his 4/2 show. Many artists play through injuries and miss important life events for their fans. Not Church. He really might be the biggest douche bag in America. pic.twitter.com/eA7CxXdvm9
— GonzoApp (@GonzoApp) March 29, 2022
Eric Church cancels his San Antonio gig for a basketball game and we’re supposed to be cool with it? How about you refund my fucking airfare and condo rental too? Four day vacation you just shit on because you’re selfish. Asshole move. Get a DVR and go @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/PFNrLp8k3I
— Chris Frost (@MNFrostyBoy) March 29, 2022
I’m torn because I truly see both sides and if I had a chance to be at that game, I’d have my ass there no matter what. But I feel for all the thousands of people who were canceled on after booking flights, finding childcare, etc. just to be able to go to the show
— ☆☆Casey Young☆☆ (@spaseycasey) March 30, 2022