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Eric Church is stepping in for Luke Bryan, who had to back out of his upcoming performances “due to continued illness,” he announced on Wednesday (June 25).
Bryan was set to take the stage at Country Stampede on Thursday (June 26) in Bonner Springs, Kansas; NebraksaLand Days on Friday (June 27) in North Platte, Nebraska; and Country Jam on Saturday (June 28) in Grand Junction, Colorado, according to Bryan’s previously-announced tour dates. Church confirmed there’d been a “change of plans, Chief style!” He’s “stepping in last minute...”as he fills in for Luke Bryan” at the festivals, he stated in a post on Instagram.
“Festivals are part of the fabric of what made us who we are. Happy to fill in for Luke while he’s on the mend,” Church said in a statement. “Not a lot of time to plan or get the whole crew and band together, so I’m bringing Jo and we’re gonna do something unique and spontaneous.”
Bryan said in a statement on his Instagram story on Wednesday: “I’m really sorry to say I won’t be able to play this weekend’s shows due to continued illness. I’ve been hoping to rally, but my voice is just not there yet. Huge thanks to my buddy [Eric Church] for stepping in last minute — and of course, putting on a kick a** show like he always does. Sitting still is not what I do best so I can’t wait to be back soon. Love y’all, Luke.” This marks the second weekend in a row that Bryan has rescheduled or backed out of performances because of an ongoing, unspecified illness. He also refunded ticket holders at his tour stop in Rogers, Arkansas, following a performance with a raspy voice. Bryan’s next tour stop is set for July 10 on the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Later this year, Church will bring special guests Elle King, Marcus King Band and Charles Wesley Godwin on his headlining “Free the Machine Tour.” He said earlier this year that “these shows will be different than anything you’ve ever seen or heard from us before.”