Eric Church Delivers Powerful Performance at Macy’s Fireworks 2025

Eric Church lit up the New York skyline and shook the airwaves with one of the most emotionally resonant sets of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks 2025 special. His performance brought soul, grit, and raw patriotism to NBC’s coast-to-coast broadcast — a reminder of why Church remains one of country music’s most beloved icons.

With the Brooklyn Bridge glowing behind him and 80,000+ fireworks shells primed for launch, Church seized the moment. Performing live from the Seaport District rooftop stage, he turned the country’s most-watched holiday celebration into a spiritual experience.

🎤 Setting the Tone Before the Sky Exploded

Church’s appearance came at the perfect time — just as daylight faded and anticipation grew. With the East River shimmering and millions watching across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, Church stepped forward and delivered a performance that was both stripped-down and electrifying.

“Fireworks don’t just happen in the sky,” Church told producers in a pre-show segment. “They happen when the right song hits the right crowd.”

That’s exactly what happened as he launched into his first song — a gritty, acoustic-led version of “Springsteen,” to which the crowd sang along word-for-word.

🏙️ Rooftop Reverence: A Stage with Soul

Held on a custom-built rooftop stage atop Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan, Church’s performance was framed by a dazzling New York City skyline. It was a fitting contrast: Church’s grounded, guitar-driven sound against a backdrop of pyrotechnics and pulsing lights.

As he sang, the Brooklyn Bridge and East River flickered in red, white, and blue, while drones lit up the air with animations honoring American service members — themes that echoed in Church’s lyrics and delivery.

🎶 Full Setlist: What Eric Church Played on July 4, 2025

Although the NBC broadcast edited down some songs for time, the full setlist — as confirmed by production sources — included:

1. “Springsteen”
2. “Talladega”
3. “Some Of It”
4. “Hell of a View”
5. “Over When It’s Over” (feat. Joanna Cotten)
6. “Heart on Fire”

One of the most powerful moments came during “Over When It’s Over,” a duet with longtime bandmate Joanna Cotten. The emotional performance was captured in a dedicated segment shared online by NBC Insider.

📺 How to Watch the Full Eric Church Performance Again

Missed it live? You can rewatch the Eric Church Macy’s Fireworks 2025 performance now:

• NBC Encore: The entire special aired again at 10 PM ET
• Peacock Streaming: Available for full replay at peacocktv.com
• YouTube Highlights: Segments shared via NBC’s official YouTube channel

📌 Watch the full Macy’s Fireworks 2025 replay on Peacock

🔥 The Power of Country Music on a Patriotic Stage

Country artists have long been a part of Macy’s July 4 legacy, but Eric Church brought a new kind of intensity. His raspy voice, intimate lyrics, and commanding stage presence offered a musical counterpart to the grandiosity of the fireworks.

Just as the first shells launched over the East River, Church was finishing “Heart on Fire”, bathed in red and gold as lights erupted behind him.

🧠 Frequently Searched Questions (SEO FAQ)

🕐 What time did Eric Church perform at Macy’s Fireworks?

Eric Church performed during the first hour of the NBC special — around 8:40 PM ET, shortly before the fireworks launch.

🎤 Who sang with Eric Church during the duet?

Joanna Cotten joined him for “Over When It’s Over,” marking one of the most talked-about performances of the night.

📡 Where can I stream Eric Church’s full performance?

Full performance replay is now available on Peacock, with clips posted on NBC.com and YouTube.

📈 Performance Buzz and Viewer Impact

• Over 6 million people tuned in during Church’s performance window
• “Springsteen” trended on X in the top 5 for over an hour
• YouTube clips of the duet with Joanna Cotten reached 250K+ views in 24 hours
• NBC’s overall broadcast earned its highest July 4 rating since 2021

Fans and critics alike praised Church’s stripped-back approach as the perfect contrast to the bombast of the fireworks show. Variety called it “a moment of grounded grace in an otherwise electrifying spectacle.”

🎇 Behind the Scenes: Church’s Comments & Rehearsals

Church arrived in NYC two days before the show for rehearsals and was reportedly one of the most involved artists in the staging process. According to NBC production staff, he personally reviewed camera angles, lighting cues, and requested a minimalist stage to let the music shine.

“He wanted it real,” a producer told Billboard. “No fluff — just Eric, his guitar, and a skyline.”

🔗 Internal Links (UltimateRecaps.com)

• Explore More Music Performances
• Jonas Brothers Performance Stuns at Macy’s Fireworks 2025
• Top 2025 Holiday Specials Roundup
• TV Shows & Competitions Highlights

🌐 External Sources

• NBC Official Site
• Peacock Fireworks 2025 Replay
• Macy’s Fireworks Event Details

📣 Final Thoughts

Eric Church’s performance at Macy’s Fireworks 2025 wasn’t just patriotic — it was deeply personal. With the NYC skyline behind him and lyrics about memory, heartbreak, and hope, Church reminded America why country music belongs in the national spotlight.

If you haven’t watched it yet — now’s your chance. Because long after the last shell burst over the East River, the echo of Church’s voice still rings out.