note: I wrote this nearly a year ago, but unintentionally left it unpublished until now.
Saturday night, I took my three boys and a couple of friends
to San Antonio, to go to the Winter Jam concert tour. I have been a lifelong music junkie - in fact
I ran one of the first online magazines for Christian music from the mid-90s
until shortly after my oldest sons were born in 2000. But after my kids were born, my priorities
changed, and I have not been to many concerts in the last 12 years. What a thrill to introduce my kids to the
world of live Christian music!
Winter Jam has been going on for 17 years, and is a bit like
a travelling music festival. 10 bands
played over 5+ hours, with worship, prayer, and even a little magic mixed in,
all for $10. This was by far the best
$10 I have ever spent on entertainment and is certain to become an annual
tradition for my family.
During the time after the doors opened and before the
"proper" concert began, two bands new to the US market
entertained. We As People kicked off the
night, but alas I missed much of their set getting my kids situated. Aussie duo for KING & COUNTRY followed
with a very enjoyable set. They are
perhaps best known for the recent radio hit “Busted Heart” but there’s a lot
more to them than that one song. Youth
leaders got an extra bonus – a goodie bag that included among other things a
free download of their newest album “Crave.”
I have to say they've been growing on me the last few days.
Group 1 Crew ushered in the main show, bringing down the
lights to a rendition of “Party Rock Anthem” (aka "Everyday I’m Shuffling"),
complete with neon-lined outfits that would have been cool if they had worked
more than half the time. Fortunately the
singing was more reliable than the wardrobe.
Building 429 rocked to crowd-pleasers “Where I Belong” and “Listen to
the Sound.” Newcomer Dara Maclean did a lively rendition of the radio hits
“Free” and “Suitcases.” During Kari
Jobe’s performance of “We Are (the Light of the World)” my son pointed out the
absolutely amazing scene of the entire arena sparkling like a starry night,
from 9,000 cell phone flash lights. Cool
doesn't even begin to describe it!
Newsong’s Russ Lee emceed the entire event, but was not
silent during the singing. His amazing
tenor filled the arena during Newsong’s performance of the power ballad “Arise
My Love,” sung while an artist’s portrait of Christ’s face was etched on a
30-foot-square screen through light effects.
That song has always given me the chills, and hearing it performed live
was worth the price of admission by itself.
They then sang a new release, “The Same God.” That song really hit me. “The same God with you then is with you
now. The same God who led you in will
lead you out. So take all the fear and
doubt, go on and lay them down. The same
God, the same God is with you now.” I
needed that reminder!
After a brief intermission, Sanctus Real raised the audio
level (as if that were necessary!) another few notches, getting the crowd
singing along to “Forgiven,” “I’m Not Alright,” “Lead Me,” and “The
Redeemer.” As much fun as they were,
that was nowhere near the highlight of the night.
I've been a fan of Skillet for many years. As a matter of fact, I wrote about their
self-titled debut album way back in 1997 (reprinted in my blog). This was my first chance to see them live
though, and frankly was the reason I went to the Winter Jam (I’ll be returning
though, regardless of who headlines next year – the entire night was
incredible). To say they rocked the
crowd would be the understatement of the night.
From the introductory rock duet between headbanging violinist Jonathan
Chu and cellist Tate Olsen, to the closing strains of “The Last Night,” from
onstage pyrotechnics to 20-foot hydraulic lifts and Jen Ledger’s rotating drum
platform, the show was everything I expected and more.
Winter Jam 2012 may not have been the best concert I’ve ever
attended (I doubt anything can top a small acoustic show with Petra lead John
Schlitt back in the early ‘90s), it certainly falls in the top 2 or 3. If you’re in the Eastern US and have a chance
to see the remainder of this tour, take it. You won’t
regret it!