MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, 10th Avenue North, Addison Road, and Hawk came into Phoenix last Friday, March 27th, with the Rock and Worship Concert. Over 12 thousand showed up at US Airways Center to hear these popular Christian bands.

Tickets were just $10 and there were no advanced sales. I arrived early hearing that in the previous gig over 11 thousand had come to the concert causing hundreds to have to be turned away. The response to the Rock and Worship tour has been surprising. I think it might be an indication that there is a turning by people to spiritual awareness. Personally, it was just a couple of years ago I wouldn’t even listen to Christian music. I actually couldn’t listen to it. Ironically, it was a song by MercyMe, sung by a customer of mine at karaoke, that started a change in me that has me now listening all the time.

Addison Road opened up. The lead singer, Jenny Simmons, was four weeks away from delivering her first child. She has a great voice, and the band is up for a number of awards.

10th Avenue North, in my opinion, was the best of the night. They have some great songs. Check them out on youtube.

Hawk was, shall I say, different. While they may have been the most talented and engaging with the crowd, the sound was so loud I couldn’t make out a word they were saying. They were the band for the teenagers as a Dad next to me told an older couple who had decided to leave after their set. Despite that, I really appreciated their energy and passion. I know that they had lyrics because the teenage girl to my right was singing every word to the noise I was hearing!  = )

Jeremy Camp was up next and I was really looking forward to hearing him. I am a new fan of his music and he has been a favorite of my kids for a long time. He has a good number of very inspiring songs. Unfortunetly, his sound was the worst of the night. Maybe it was where I was sitting. Still think highly of him and his music. I would like to see him again in a smaller venue like the Celebrity Theater.

MercyMe closed out the night. I saw them a number of months ago when they played here at the Celebrity Theater, and again, their sound was not as good as the bands earlier in the night. MercyMe still performed some good music. They have great originals and inspire you.

While this was only my second “Christian” concert, this one was impressive in the numbers of those that attended. There has been a very real evolution of the genre that has made it so relevant to people. The talent of the musicians is also clearly evident. In the same way we could relate to a secular song written about a past relationship or event in our lives, people are experiencing a drawing closer to God through worship music.

For the past few years, I have been realizing the importance of genuineness, which is where real truth begins. Even though there were over 12 thousand imperfect people at the US Airways Center, it was evident that everyone shared a common faith in Jesus … definitely creating a distinct environment.