UPDATE: There has been a development since this article was first published. Get details here.
Some Eric Church fans are crying foul after the country star cancelled a concert this weekend so he can attend a college basketball game.
“This is super fun news for people who have flight and Airbnb booked for this show,” read one tweet. “Not happy.” Another read: “It’s called professional responsibility. What if an ER surgeon says ‘I want to see UNC/Duke so I will not be performing surgery,’ would you applaud that?”
One person fumed: “Welp no longer a fan and not buying merchandise. Probably not a huge loss and I'm sure he doesn't care.”
Church, who is on The Gather Again Tour, was scheduled to perform Saturday in San Antonio. Instead, according to a statement, “my family and I are going to stand together to cheer on the [North Carolina] Tar Heels as the team has made it to the Final Four.”
Describing himself as a lifelong Carolina basketball fan, Church said watching the team take on Duke in New Orleans for the first time in NCAA Tournament history “is any sports enthusiast’s dream.”
The singer admitted it is “the most selfish thing” he has ever asked his fans to do – “to give up your Saturday night plans with us so that I can have this moment with my family and sports community.
“However, 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.”
While some fans expressed understanding, others had a different take.
“Pretty scummy, to be honest,” one opined.
Another tweet read: “What a slap in the face to those who’ve worked hard to be able to attend and will not get their money back on flights, prepaid rooms, etc.”
Someone who had tickets to cancelled concert said Church’s move is “totally unprofessional and frankly unacceptable. … Horrible selfish decision.”
@ericchurch - I ought tickets one year ago for this Saturday and you cancel to watch a basketball game? Uncool. You’ve lost a fan. #ericchurchsucks
— @ihatekamalaslaugh (@justatexasgurl) March 29, 2022
Love @ericchurch but you CAN’T cancel a concert for 15,000 people for a basketball game! This will not go over well.
— Lambeau (@acmepackers1) March 30, 2022
If Eric Church is such a big UNC fan, why did he schedule a concert on the Final Four weekend? Did he assume they wouldn’t be playing? Doesn’t sound like a fan. He’s weak. He’s a poser. He’s an embarrassment.
— Gwaltineer (@Gwaltineer) March 30, 2022
Eric Church is throwing words like "family" into his BS excuse for canceling a concert thousands of peopme were looking forward to.....for an important basketball game. Dude thinks a lot of himself for someone who sh**s on his fans.
— Shiela (@perezorperez) March 30, 2022
Eric Church fans, please do not support him moving forward. I’ve never been more disappointed in an artist. #EricChurch #CancelEricChurch @ericchurch
— Deon Sutton lll (@deonsuttonlll) March 29, 2022
Eric Church did his fans so dirty, no one else except the elites can decide to ditch their commitments to do what they want! Imagine all the people with weekend plans around this show @ericchurch not very kind of you
— Deon Sutton lll (@deonsuttonlll) March 29, 2022
For some people its alot more than Saturday night plans. Have an entire 5 day trip booked to San Antonio completely centered around the show. Airfare...airbnb....vacation from work.
— DSpee (@spielyD) March 29, 2022