Live concerts return to Nationwide Arena with singer-songwriter Eric Church
Country singer-songwriter Eric Church will kick off the return to live concerts at Nationwide Arena with a performance set for Sept. 18.
More than a year since a concert took place in the arena, Church is the first musical performer to take center stage, as part of his Gather Again tour.
Church has passionately taken a leadership role in the industry’s return to touring.
“It became very clear to me that the only way to really get back to normal is through vaccinations. You’ve got to get needles in arms,” he shared with Billboard in the April 3 cover story depicting the superstar getting his own second dose of the vaccine after consulting with epidemiologists and industry experts.
Gary O’Brien, the spokesman of Columbus Arena and Sports Entertainment, said the expectation is that full capacity will be permitted for the Sept. 18 event, as well as others to come in the fall and throughout 2022.
Still, O'Brien said he and others will continue following the direction of Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio health professionals to ensure proper COVID-19 safety regulations are set in place.
"The safety of our guests, the artists and our staff is truly our highest priority," O'Brien said. "Right now, we're booking into the fall of 2021 and into 2022 with the anticipation that large gatherings will be allowed under the direction of the governor and Ohio health (professionals). So, if they give the go-ahead for large gatherings, then we're set to go."
O'Brien said announcements for further events at Nationwide Arena and Value City Arena will be made in the next few weeks.
Tickets for the Church concert will go on sale May 7. To get access to tickets before they go on sale to the public, register for the Church Choir fan club at http://EricChurch.com.