Who Is Opening for Eric Church on the Free the Machine Tour 2026?
Eric Church has never been one to do things the conventional way. His 2026 Free the Machine Tour, extended in support of the album Evangeline vs. the Machine, is no exception. Rather than bringing a single opening act along for the entire run, Church has assembled a rotating cast of openers — each one handpicked to set the tone for a different leg of the 24-date arena tour.
If you are heading to one of these shows and wondering who you will see before Church takes the stage for one of his legendary marathon sets, here is the full breakdown.
The Opening Acts
Caylee Hammack — January (Washington, DC)
Caylee Hammack kicks off the extended run with two nights at The Anthem in Washington, DC. The Georgia-born singer-songwriter has earned a reputation for raw, confessional storytelling that pairs well with Church's no-nonsense approach to country music.
Ella Langley — February (Midwest & Northeast)
Ella Langley draws the longest stretch of opening duties, covering six dates across the Midwest, Canada, and the Northeast. Her rising profile in country music — fueled by a fearless vocal style and sharp writing — makes her an ideal fit for arena crowds in Omaha, St. Paul, Toronto, Buffalo, and Albany.
49 Winchester — February (Southern Midwest)
The Virginia-based Americana outfit 49 Winchester takes over for three mid-February dates in North Little Rock, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Their gritty, working-class rock brings a different energy to the bill — think less Nashville polish, more barroom conviction.
Stephen Wilson Jr. — February (Oklahoma & Texas)
Stephen Wilson Jr. closes out February with three dates in Tulsa, Fort Worth, and Austin. Wilson's genre-blending sound — pulling from rock, country, and soul — should land well with Texas and Oklahoma crowds who like their music with a little edge.
Kashus Culpepper & Ashley McBryde — March/April
The March and April legs feature Kashus Culpepper and Ashley McBryde on rotating dates. McBryde, a Grammy-nominated powerhouse who has shared stages with some of the biggest names in country, needs no introduction. Culpepper, meanwhile, represents the next wave — a name worth arriving early to see. Exact date assignments for this stretch are still being confirmed.
Full Tour Date Schedule
January 2026
| Date | City | Venue | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22 | Washington, DC | The Anthem | Caylee Hammack |
| Jan 23 | Washington, DC | The Anthem | Caylee Hammack |
February 2026
| Date | City | Venue | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5 | Omaha, NE | CHI Health Center | Ella Langley |
| Feb 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center | Ella Langley |
| Feb 7 | St. Paul, MN | Grand Casino Arena | Ella Langley |
| Feb 12 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena | Ella Langley |
| Feb 13 | Buffalo, NY | KeyBank Center | Ella Langley |
| Feb 14 | Albany, NY | MVP Arena | Ella Langley |
| Feb 19 | N. Little Rock, AR | Simmons Bank Arena | 49 Winchester |
| Feb 20 | Kansas City, MO | T-Mobile Center | 49 Winchester |
| Feb 21 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center | 49 Winchester |
| Feb 26 | Tulsa, OK | BOK Center | Stephen Wilson Jr. |
| Feb 27 | Fort Worth, TX | Dickies Arena | Stephen Wilson Jr. |
| Feb 28 | Austin, TX | Moody Center | Stephen Wilson Jr. |
March 2026
| Date | City | Venue | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 5 | Knoxville, TN | Thompson-Boling Arena | TBC |
| Mar 6 | Greensboro, NC | First Horizon Coliseum | TBC |
| Mar 7 | N. Charleston, SC | North Charleston Coliseum | TBC |
| Mar 19 | Birmingham, AL | Legacy Arena at the BJCC | TBC |
| Mar 20 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena | TBC |
| Mar 27 | Hollywood, FL | Hard Rock Live | TBC |
April 2026
| Date | City | Venue | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3 | Greenville, SC | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | TBC |
| Apr 4 | Charlotte, NC | Spectrum Center | TBC |
| Apr 10 | Jacksonville, FL | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | TBC |
| Apr 11 | Tampa, FL | Benchmark International Arena | TBC |
Why the Rotating Opener Format Works
Eric Church has always treated his live shows as something more than just a concert. Fans who have seen him know to expect three-plus hours of music, deep cuts mixed with hits, and a performer who genuinely feeds off the room. The rotating opener model fits that philosophy.
Each block of dates gets its own character. The 49 Winchester shows will feel different from the Ella Langley nights, which will feel different from the Stephen Wilson Jr. run. For fans attending multiple stops — and Church has the kind of devoted following where that is common — it means no two shows are quite the same from start to finish.
It also speaks to where country music is right now. The artists on this bill represent a wide range of sounds under the country and Americana umbrella, from McBryde's hard-country credibility to 49 Winchester's roots-rock energy. Church has always positioned himself slightly outside the mainstream lane, and his choice of openers reflects that.
What to Expect at the Show
If this is your first Eric Church show, a few things to keep in mind:
- Arrive early. These openers are worth seeing, and Church rewards fans who show up on time.
- Plan for a long night. Church routinely plays well past the two-hour mark, often stretching into three hours or more. He does not believe in short sets.
- Arena shows, not stadiums. The Free the Machine Tour is hitting arenas, which means a tighter, louder, more immersive experience than a festival or stadium gig. This is deliberate — Church's music hits harder in a room where you can feel the low end.
Stay Updated
We will update this page as March and April opener assignments are officially confirmed. Check the Eric Church artist page on TourWax for the latest ticket links and show details.
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