Latest christian music: One thought keeps running through my head after returning from tobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam three-hour concert Saturday night at the Von Braun Center Arena: Why can't all concerts be this positive and fun?
That's not reality, right? But hey, at least it happens every now and then.
Mac brought his Diverse City band into the VBC along with newcomer B. Reith, Family Force 5 and Relient K for a wonderful evening of upbeat, fun, Christian contemporary music in front of 5,000 or so fans.
Reith played a short set and was okay, but then came the wild and crazy Family Force 5. "Listening to Family Force 5 is like lighting a cluster of firecrackers in your mouth," according to guitarist Derek Mount (known to fans as Chap Stique).
Yep, there's definitely fireworks of some sort going on. Family Force 5 was widen open and performing at 100 mph once it hit the stage. The group even brought its Family Force 5000, a massive drum machine they invented, on stage. As Family Force performed, one of the members kept pushing the buttons that looked like a giant phone keyboard. That itself was strange.
The group performed many songs, including "D-I-E 4 Y-O-U," "Radiator" and put an interesting twist on "Love Addict." During the second chorus, the band changed the words to
"Grandma, she got run over, she got run over by a reindeer, y'all," a Christmas single they put out a couple of years ago. It was a fun and energetic performance.
Relient K took the stage after Family Force 5 and also put on a good show, albeit very much toned down from what the Force brought. The group actually brought some Christmas spirit to the concert by placing some snowmen, Santa Claus and a blowup Christmas tree on stage. They played hits like "High of 75, " "Chapstick, Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry" and "Mood Rings."
Relient K didn't just bring out some Christmas props, they played "O Holy Night," followed by a Relient K original, "I Celebrate The Day." The group had been using an animation of a snow-covered field and log cabin in the background, but then used it to play a fun, humorous song about a group of bunnies that closely resembled Relient K called "Sleigh Ride."
Continuing in the humor vein, the group did a triubte to Family Force 5 by spoofing the Subway Commercial "5, $5 footlog" and replacing the words with "5, Family Force, Family Force 5's done."
Of course, the group couldn't end the show without its mega-hit that sounds a little like Good Charlotte, "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been."
Then came Mac, and as well as the other bands performed, Toby took it up another two notches.
His high-energy, hip hop/rap/R&B show opened with "Burn For You" and followed with "Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy)," "The Slam," "Gone" and "Boomin'". Not only is Mac's music hip, positive and catchy, but he and his dancers add a whole another element to the stage. They're dancing on the stage in well choreographed moves and act like they're having the times of their lives.
The show was fun, but there was also some inspirational moments, one when Mac shared a story about seeing a Bible verse on a Realtor's card a youngster. The verse was Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He said that verse inspired him two years ago to write "Lose My Soul," which also led into a short, moving rendition of "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him."
That was pretty much the last time Mac slowed things down. He and the band kicked into the rockin' "Diverse City" and followed with an old school medley that included "Rollercoaster (of Love)," "That's The Way I Like It" and "We Are Family."
The encore was also fun. He started with "Made To Love," and followed with the huge hit with dc Talk, "Jesus Freak." Relient K and Family Force 5 joined him onstage for the Christmas classic "Winter Wonderland," which also kick-started a giant confetti machine that blew snow all over the arena floor. The singers also doused the crowd with water from countless bottles of water and were acting like kids, sliding on the wet stage.
It looked like the show was over, but Mac tried to console disappointed Alabama football fans (after the 31-20 loss to Florida) by playing a few lyrics from "Sweet Home Alabama." He probably didn't have to, most fans were already feeling better after the fun show.
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Christian music news: tobyMac To Perform For The Pope At New York Youth Rally
Latest christian music: Nashville, TN.....4/1/08.....Marking his third performance at an event with a Pope, tobyMac has been confirmed as a performer at a Youth Rally on April 19th at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY which will be presided over by Pope Benedict XVI. DC Talk performed at such rallies in Denver (1993) and St. Louis (1999), both of which were presided over by the late Pope John Paul II. The 2008 rally’s purpose is to encourage youth to seek vocations within the church.
On his inaugural visit to the United States Pope Benedict XVI is attending open-air masses in both Washington D.C. and New York City, and delivering an address to the United Nations and visit to the World Trade Center site.
About being asked to perform before the Pope at the Rally, tobyMac commented, “It's an honor to participate in this Papal visit. Not too many artists are given this opportunity. We have great respect for the work he does.”tobyMac recently completed his “Boomin’ Beyond Measure Tour” with Jeremy Camp and is preparing for the release of his first Live CD and DVD as a solo artist, Alive and Transported, which hits the streets May 26th. In addition he is slated to headline numerous summer festivals including Spirit West Coast, Icthus, Atlantafest, Alive, Creation East and West, Sonshine, and more. Stay updated with all things TobyMac at http://www.tobymac.com.With over 8 million career scans, the GRAMMY-nominated Portable Sounds is tobyMac's latest and highest solo debut ever on the Billboard Top 200 chart (No. 10), and after hitting No. 1 on SoundScan’s Contemporary Christian Overall chart in its first week as well, the project has scanned over 300,000 units and is still solidly in the top 20 after 48 weeks of release. Along with this sales success, tobyMac was named R&R’s Christian CHR Artist of the Year, while over 100 Christian radio stations played his smash hit singles "I'm For You" and "Made to Love," and his video for his rock hit “Boomin’”was named the Gospel Music Channel’s Video of the Year and CCM Magazine reader’s Best Music VIdeo for 2007. tobyMac released his solo debut (Momentum 2001) followed by the critically acclaimed Welcome to Diverse City (2004), both of which received GRAMMY nominations, and most recently were awarded RIAA Gold Certification. As a solo artist, in addition to rave reviews and a favorite in magazine and internet Reader's Choice polls each year, including 2007’s CCM Magazine Best Male Artist of the Year, tobyMac has also won seven Dove Awards, received nine GMA Music/Dove Award nominations, and was recently nominated for an American Music Award as Favorite Inspirational Artist.
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On his inaugural visit to the United States Pope Benedict XVI is attending open-air masses in both Washington D.C. and New York City, and delivering an address to the United Nations and visit to the World Trade Center site.
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Christian music news: TobyMac ''Alive and Transported'' Screening Nationwide June 9
Latest christian music: MORRISTOWN, N.J., May 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- On the heels of winning Artist of the Year at the 2008 Dove Awards and performing for Pope Benedict XVI at a youth rally during the Pope's recent visit to the United States, 4 time Grammy Winner TobyMac will hit the big screen in "Alive and Transported" for an exclusive, one night-only engagement on Monday, June 9th, courtesy of The Bigger Picture, the alternative content distribution unit of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. ("AccessIT") (NASDAQ:AIXD).
After years of requests, Alive and Transported, TobyMac's explosive concert experience is finally being released on a DVD and CD combo. As his fans will confirm, TobyMac has one of the most electrifying shows around, and the full-length project puts you on stage with Toby and the Diverse City Band as they perform "Slam," "Made To Love," "Gone," "Burn For You," "Diverse City," "Catchafire (Whoopsi Daisy)" and many more favorites.
"All the reasons TobyMac won this year's Dove Award for Artist of the Year are evident in his performance in 'Alive and Transported'. He draws in his audience and inspires it with fabulous presentation and sound," said Jonathan Dern, President of The Bigger Picture. "And everyone who sees him in the theatre will feel like he or she has VIP seating at the concert."
"We are proud to present TobyMac's first DVD concert with this special one-night only presentation in theatres," said John Rubey, President of AEG Network LIVE. "Fans who've been asking for this concert to be available will not be disappointed with the high quality digital cinema picture and the incredible surround sound."
Over the past year, and on the heels of two RIAA Gold -certified projects, TobyMac released his best-selling project to-date, Portable Sounds, which was his highest solo debut ever on the Billboard Top 200 chart (No. 10). In addition to sold out tour dates, four back-to-back radio hits and being named R&R's Christian CHR Artist of the Year in 2007 as well as CCM magazine's Best Male Artist of the Year, TobyMac was also nominated for a 2007 American Music Award as Favorite Inspirational Artist.
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After years of requests, Alive and Transported, TobyMac's explosive concert experience is finally being released on a DVD and CD combo. As his fans will confirm, TobyMac has one of the most electrifying shows around, and the full-length project puts you on stage with Toby and the Diverse City Band as they perform "Slam," "Made To Love," "Gone," "Burn For You," "Diverse City," "Catchafire (Whoopsi Daisy)" and many more favorites.
"All the reasons TobyMac won this year's Dove Award for Artist of the Year are evident in his performance in 'Alive and Transported'. He draws in his audience and inspires it with fabulous presentation and sound," said Jonathan Dern, President of The Bigger Picture. "And everyone who sees him in the theatre will feel like he or she has VIP seating at the concert."
"We are proud to present TobyMac's first DVD concert with this special one-night only presentation in theatres," said John Rubey, President of AEG Network LIVE. "Fans who've been asking for this concert to be available will not be disappointed with the high quality digital cinema picture and the incredible surround sound."
Over the past year, and on the heels of two RIAA Gold -certified projects, TobyMac released his best-selling project to-date, Portable Sounds, which was his highest solo debut ever on the Billboard Top 200 chart (No. 10). In addition to sold out tour dates, four back-to-back radio hits and being named R&R's Christian CHR Artist of the Year in 2007 as well as CCM magazine's Best Male Artist of the Year, TobyMac was also nominated for a 2007 American Music Award as Favorite Inspirational Artist.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Christian music news: Tobymac, Thousand Foot Krutch, Building 429 April 26, 2007 Manheim, Pennsylvania
Latest christian music: Concert goers lined up hours before the doors opened. Many of them were shivering in the frigid air by the time 6:30 rolled around. But their wait was worth it. Unfortunately, Portable Sounds tour openers Family Force 5 were not able to make this showing due to their transportation breaking down somewhere in the wilds of America. The crowd hushed as the emcee announced it, and you could almost feel the disappointment drop over the room like a blanket.
But the emotion was shortlived as Building 429 kicked things off and immediately held the crown in the palm of their hands with songs like "Glory Defined" and new cuts off their Iris to Iris release.
Thousand Foot Krutch rocked the house, as expected, frontman Trevor McNevan sporting his trademark skeleton shirt and powerfully delivering TFK hits "Rock Fist", "The Art of Breaking", and "Absolute". These guys know how to rock.
By the time Toby hit the stage, we were all pumped and ready for the amazing musicianship of his band and backup singers. A Tobymac concert is an experience---one every Christian music fan should have the privilege of feasting their eyes on. It's a montage of colored lights, grooving dancers, and amazing musicians. From hits off the Portable Sounds cd including "Boomin'", "Made to Love", and "Suddenly" to favorites like "Extreme Days", "Irene", and "Jesus Freak" . . . you name it. Toby delivered it.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Christian music news: TobyMac/Jeremy Camp @ Wells Fargo
Latest christian music: Colorado showed its love for Matthew West, Jeremy Camp and TobyMac when it was the first city to sell out the Boomin’ Beyond Measure tour, which hit Denver on Thursday March 21 at the Wells Fargo Theatre. And if you were like me, I got stuck in traffic and missed Matthew West. Please post a few comments on his performance.
Here’s a quick rundown of the show:
Jeremy Camp got the crowd ready for the main act - the hip-hopping TobyMac - with his acoustic guitar rock licks. The sound at the Wells Fargo Theatre did Camp’s voice justice. He sent the crowd to its feet with “Lay Down My Pride,” and “Give You Glory.”
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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