ahhhh.....the EFC-- One of the most intimate venues I know. super convenient to my home, secret parking tricks
and an intimacy with the performer
Daniel Carson & Chris Tomlin
Israel Houghton New Breed
be lightThis is my first "christian" concert review on my Concert Review blog.
Chris Tomlin & crew had a Sunday evening gig scheduled for Philly and what a way to continue what is typically a morning of worship, stretch it out into the night and even the next morning as I type this.
This concert was one of pure unadulterated worship to Jesus Messiah.
I love most general admission shows since it gives me the opportunity to get super close and me not being one to miss too many opportunities in life got right up there. We brought a total of 14 people with us for this venture and I know that God; working through the audience and musicians alike enlightened many and lifted up the name of Jesus Messiah on this night.
Israel Houghton & New Breed---Excellent musicians full of energy and passion. These guys got the crowd worked up and ready and really were worthy of headlining even though most had never heard of them. On the way home most all of our attendees commented on how Israel was such a great performer. Israels voice was amazing. When they took the full band took the stage there were three female backup singers and one male.....everyone's singing, band's rocking out etc and then all of a sudden it gets super quite and you hear this sweet, sweet voice singing over the din. My eyes quickly searched out all the backup singers to see which of the ladies was singing from their heart---I quickly assessed that none of them were singing and was disappointed that this band would use background tracks till my eyes caught a glimpse of Israel himself singing....his voice like pure butter.....beautiful.
Tomlin rocked the house for Jesus Messiah. Normally when a song is completed the audience claps and cheers for the band. This was not really the case; when a song was complete everyone in attendance kinda of collectively clapped for God and not the band....it's a bit hard to explain properly and a credit to Chris' worship abilities.
I usually grab a set-list and was unable to do so @ this show. The band covered a lot of stuff off of Hello Love and a good amount of older popular material. Chris is a master at being part of the audience and bringing it all to God in a beautiful package. Major highlights for me included- Jesus Messiah, God of this City, Amazing Grace (My chains are gone), Your Grace is Enough and I Will Rise as well as countless others. Going into How Great Thou Art after singing How Great is Our God was awesome. It was great to sing acapella several times throughout the show....made me feel right @ home :)
I truly felt that the band and audience was acting as one in unison to Jesus Messiah, This was not your typical concert, but an act of worship.
In closing, Chris' authenticity was amazing. What an appreciative, loving Christ-centered individual.....he has my prayers.
