COMMENTARY | The Newsboys performed yesterday in Layton, Utah, at the Christian Life Center. The venue is relatively small for the Newsboys, a well known Christian pop rock band, who is used to entertaining larger audiences.
Utah’s Religious Demography
The concert was completely sold out and tickets were not available at the door anymore. As a volunteer at yesterday’s event I overheard several people talking what an honor it is to host a band like them. Considering that statistics show that 57 percent of all Utahans consider themselves Mormons and 17 percent claim that they don’t have a religion I believe that they were right.
Michael Tait, the front man and singer of the popular band proudly told stories about his Baptist background. Therefore it’s fair to say that the Newsboys share the faith of the 4 percent of the Utah’s Christian non-denominational minority and therefore the market for their music is rather small in a state like Utah.
Since the Newsboys didn’t impress me last year in Norfolk (see article) I had little hope for them this time around. Regardless I was psyched having the opportunity to volunteer at a concert. Being so close to wholesome music always energizes me regardless of which band is playing.
My job was to usher people in their seat, check tickets and conduct soft security. It’s awesome to see the anticipation in people’s faces and feel their energy. I couldn’t have gotten a better job
Review of the Opening Acts
Their opening acts were Anthem Lights, Abandon and the City Harmonics.
Apparently Layton is too small of a city to remember and all opening acts referred to the crowd wrongfully as Salt Lake City which was irritating to say the least. That is however the only negative thing I have to say about the opening acts.
Anthem Lights took me back to my teen years where a group named New Kids on the Block rocked my music world. The similarities were rather striking. The members alternated in taking the lead, they are all good looking and appeared to be great role models for the kids of our times. They sang their hit song: “Can’t Get Over You” and people were on their feet humming along with them.
Abandon performed “Hero” among other songs. Evangelist Bob Lenz was hired for this event. The people who accepted Christ were encouraged to go to several locations where volunteers waited to pray for them. I happen to see Abandon’s lead vocalist Josh Engler join one of the prayer groups. I was touched by his sincerity and willingness to pray for attendees.
As I said, I was new to this “ushering” thing. I didn’t realize that I checked the wristband of the bassist of the City Harmonics when I found him seemingly “unauthorized” in the VIP section until I saw him later on stage performing. He made a fan out of me by thanking me for doing my job and by flashing his VIP Pass without leaving a scene and putting me in my place. Thank you for not embarrassing me. Either way the City Harmonic remind me a little bit of Coldplay. They rocked it out and of course played their signature song “Manifesto.” I looked at the crowd of 1,200 and I am sure almost all were standing.
Review of the Newsboys
Then it was the moment everyone was waiting for. As the lights went out the energy went up. The Newsboys emerged with matching red/black suits accompanied by 1,200 applauding hands. The very thing I criticized them in my article for last year worked so well this time around. Fans wanted a show and the Newsboys were ready to give it to them even in this small venue.
A long catwalk was placed in this small venue so Michael Tait could move freely back and forward and all visitors were treated with close up of the gorgeous front man whether they paid $45 or $36. The beat of the bass coming from the humongous speakers raised my heartbeat and my energy level.
A lot of fans from Utah haven’t seen the Newsboys since Peter Fueller, the former lead vocalist, left. Judging by conversations of people in the long merchandise lines Tait didn’t disappoint Utahans. He was lifted in the air surrounded by smoke and connected with the fans with his stories and by responding to calls from the audience. I am a sucker for smiles and this guy smiled a lot.
Most of the songs were from their new rock-driven worship album titled “God’s Not Dead.” However they didn’t play the title song before the encore. I forgot my “ushering” job by the time we worshiped to “Mighty to Save.” I was moved by the audience singing “Nothing but the Blood” only lead by Tait without the music.
My personal favorite however was “Something Beautiful.” It’s so uplifting and Michael Tait’s voice is so infectiousness.
I hope any doubter was put at ease with the encore, when keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein made his case in an about five-minute documentation. He basically explained that the chance for the existence of the universe by accident is zero. He compared creating with texting someone. While you might be able to text some letters per accident, an accident won’t be able to string complete sentences together. After this enlightenment the Newsboys rocked it out to “God’s Not Dead”. They ended the successful concert with the “Revelation Song” and were joined by Anthem Lights, Abandon and the City Harmonic at the last verse.
Newsboys tweeted: Thanks, Utah!! Its time to make plans to come back here more often… #Godsnotdeadtour
I bet that 1,200 fans agree.