Eric Church wows on new live album 'Evangeline..... Comes Alive'
A six-piece core band is joined by horns, strings, an eight-voice gospel choir and longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten.
entertainment-focus.comEric Church released Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive, a 19-track live album tied to an IMAX theatrical release, featuring a expanded live arrangement with horns, strings, and an eight-voice gospel choir.
Context and latest details
- The project presents Evangeline vs. The Machine material performed front-to-back, then expands into catalog favorites, in a cinematic, concert-film style.[1][5]
- The live album is marketed as a soundtrack companion to the IMAX film of the same title, with the theatrical release kicking off in mid-February 2026 in the U.S. and Canada.[3][5]
- The album was recorded at The Pinnacle in Nashville with a six-piece core band plus additional ensembles, including horns, strings, and an eight-voice choir, and features longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten.[1]
- Official communications from Eric Church’s team highlighted the release as both a music album and a companion to the IMAX experience, with opportunities to view remaining showings via IMAX’s site.[5][7]
What this means for fans
- If you’re attending the IMAX release or streaming the soundtrack, expect a more expansive, cinematic live sound than a typical country live album.[4][1]
- The release aligns with the ongoing Free the Machine era, continuing to push the scale and spectacle of Church’s live productions.[7][3]
Illustration
- A typical track sequence might start with Evangeline-era material performed live, then transition into favorites from across Church’s catalog, all anchored by the larger ensemble described above.
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent reviews or chart performance, or summarize which specific songs from Evangeline vs. The Machine are highlighted in the Comes Alive soundtrack. I can also fetch the IMAX release dates or streaming availability in your area. Please confirm what you’d like to see next.
Citations:
- Live album and ensemble details:[1]
- Album as soundtrack to IMAX release and release timing:[5]
- Recording location and collaborators:[1]
- Additional coverage and context:[3][7]