One thing is clear, Eric Church knows how to own a stage.

Known as “The Chief,” Church was originally scheduled to headline WYRK’s Taste of Country at Coca Cola Field but was forced to cancel due to bad weather conditions. Making good on his word, Church rescheduled the Buffalo show and was back in the Queen City within the month to play a make up performance, bringing along JT Hodges to open.

Fans were treated to a perfect summer night with the sun shining and a cool breeze, much better than the freezing rain they endured at Coca Cola Field. Cut-off jeans, flannel button-downs, boots and cowboy hats were out in mass quantities.

Buffalo’s own Maddie Larkin opened the show as the crowds filed in, with JT Hodges taking the stage shortly after. But when Church took the stage, the real show had started.

With great pyrotechnics and stage effects, Church rocked the audience with fan favorites including “Creepin’, “Drink In My Hand,” Smoke a Little Smoke,” and ended the show with “Springsteen” during the encore.

His stage presence and energy was unmatched by most artists I’ve seen perform at Darien Lake. From shaking his fists to toasting the crowd, Church is one of those rare performers who not only can entertain an audience, but literally puts everything he has into every song. You were exhausted just watching him play.

Needless to say, this show was well worth the wait for fans that had to miss him at Taste of Country. Church himself could tell how great of a show this was, “I knew tonight in Buffalo was going to be a good time, but I didn’t know it was gonna be this good!”

Check out some photos from the show below:

Fans lining up to enter the gates.

Church in his signature aviator glasses and hat.

Pumping up the crowd during “Drink In My hand.”

A view from the lawn of the stage.

Here is a video from the show during Church’s last song of the night, “Springsteen.”