The Bell Ringer

Issue date: 2/23/10 Section: Arts & Life

Ten dollars was all it cost. Ten dollars to get in the door for a concert experience like no other with the Christian music industry's biggest artists. The lines of people encircled the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Ga., on Feb. 11. All were waiting for Winterjam 2010, Christian music's largest annual tour. With sold-out shows in most venues, people arrived early to wait in line to be guaranteed a seat for the non-ticketed event. Founded by Newsong more than 15 years ago, the Winterjam tour has grown to unprecedented heights within the past few years. I have been to many concerts throughout my life, but none ever have quite the impact of Winterjam. The 2010 lineup included performances by Revive, Robert Pierre, Sidewalk Prophets, Fireflight, Tenth Avenue North, Newsboys, Newsong and Third Day. I had the opportunity to talk with Dave Hansbury, lead vocalist for the Australian band, Revive, several weeks prior to the Augusta tour stop. Hansbury said the Winterjam tour has been unlike anything Revive has been a part of previously. "The tour is pretty phenomenal," Hansbury said. "We're just packing out arenas across the country." "Packed" would be the only word to adequately describe the James Brown Arena on that Thursday night. I was fortunate to secure seats close to the stage, and simply watched as the arena filled up in less than an hour. The stage itself was set up differently than in past years. A catwalk cut through the middle of the floor in the arena. As the lights dimmed and the show began, I was thankful for the addition of the catwalk because it allowed the artists to personally interact with the audience. For Hansbury, audience interaction is all a part of the show. "We're all about connecting with the audience," he said. "We love breaking down the barriers between the band and the audience." In fact, Hansbury literally did just that during Revive's set. In the middle of one song, Hansbury jumped from the stage onto the floor and ran through the audience. Hansbury then invited a fan to sing along to the chorus of the song. After Revive's energetic set came Robert Pierre. Despite his youth, Pierre has a soulful voice, with the stage presence of a Jonas Brother to go with it. A group of younger girls sitting next to me literally squealed when Pierre came towards the side of the stage where we were sitting. I cannot make this stuff up, people. Sidewalk Prophets began with a tribute to Michael Jackson by singing "Man in the Mirror." It was a surprising song choice, but it worked somehow. Fireflight gave my least favorite performance of the evening. Even with that being said, they were still vocally amazing. I just personally am not a fan of female rockers. Newsong, the hosts of Winterjam, always deliver standout performances. They ended their set by covering U2's "Pride," which was one of the highlights of the night for me. This was the closest thing I have experienced to being at an actual U2 concert. Truthfully, I'm not sure that I would be able to handle the real thing. Newsong's rendition was heartfelt and epic. Newsboys followed with a vibrant performance driven by their new frontman, Michael Tait. Tait seemed to be channeling Michael Jackson himself throughout the performance as he danced up and down the catwalk. I was halfway expecting him to do the moonwalk. Tenth Avenue North, the band that has written the soundtrack for my life, performed a shorter set than I was expecting. I honestly think that the length of their set was my only complaint for the night. The headliners, Third Day, delivered a southern-infused rock 'n' roll set. The Georgia natives are Christian music legends. Third Day's lead singer, Mac Powell, ended the night with an acoustic worship song that reiterated the fact that the focus of the night was not just the bands on stage. All in all, Winterjam 2010 left me impressed yet again. The selection of artists was varied enough so that almost every genre was represented. "Where the spirit does not move with the voice or the melody, or whatever it is, then you just have melody," Hansbury said. "You don't have music." Winterjam 2010 brought music that moved the spirits of thousands, as each band played with passion, and more importantly, with a mission.

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