Crowder

I attend a lot of Christian concerts (even traveling out of state for concerts) and I am a big David Crowder fan so I went to see the K-LOVE Christmas Tour 2016 on Nov. 28, 2016 at the Beacon Theater in NYC, with friends who have never been to a Christian concert before. I wanted to introduce them to the awesomeness of a great Christian concert. Big mistake! The concert lacked energy, enthusiasm, flow. The songs were played in short spurts, stopping in between each song. There were no points in the night when the audience voluntarily jumped to their feet, to sing along, hands raised in worship, as happens immediately in other Christian concerts. They tried to coax the audience to their feet and clapping along several times, but when we stood up and started getting into it, they didn't keep the momentum going with another song. It wasn't the audience that lacked enthusiasm, it was the unprofessionality of the concert itself. You could tell the artists and the audience felt something important was lacking! Let me explain why I need to review this concert so poorly. First off, when I purchased the tickets, Steven Curtis Chapman was billed to headline the show along with Crowder, but he was not there at all and neither K-LOVE nor the organizers, nor any of the artists on stage even mentioned his name. No acknowledgement whatsoever about why he wasn't there. Fans deserve the courtesy of an explanation, excuse, apology, or something. When I buy tickets to see a particular artist I expect to see that artist, not a substitute! Now as far as the show last night. This was the opening night of the 2016 Christmas Tour so I expected great things. Unfortunately, this concert overall was a huge disappointment! The entire show was poorly organized, with several "technical difficulties" both at the beginning and throughout the show. The audience was subjected to watching a long video of several K-LOVE DJ's reading from the Bible about the night of Jesus's birth, and then providing their own commentary. They repeated this same boring video TWICE during the concert! Not kidding. It seemed the concert barely got started when there was a very long break with someone on stage rambling endlessly about the charitable organization being sponsored, and showing additional boring videos and trying to solicit sponsorships for this charity from audience members. I understand this happens in many Christian concerts and I get the good cause it serves, but this was just way too much, and then it was followed by a 15 minute intermission! What??? I didn't pay money to sit through videos, speeches and charity solicitations. The entire audience looked bored and unhappy. The first group, Unspoken, did a fine enough job with the few songs they performed (they were probably the best part of the show) and I was hoping the concert would pick up momentum, but it actually got worse. Mac Powell came on next, and he was unprepared, started playing the wrong song at one point, didn't remember the lyrics to some songs (and admitted it), and said his stage teleprompter wasn't working and he couldn't read the lyrics. Perhaps he replaced Steven Curtis Chapman last minute, who knows, but for a seasoned professional, he did a bad job. He kept talking about Third Day, his real band, who were not part of this tour. He was killing time instead of actually singing. He seemed uninterested in being there. Finally, after two hours of sitting through a boring concert in which the artists spent more time on stage talking nonsense with each other than singing, David Crowder came on last. Another huge disappointment! He sang only two spiritual Christmas songs, the other songs were sugary juvenile songs like "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" and Feliz Navidad. Really? I expected a more passion filled, moving experience, presenting the birth of Christ in a more awe inspiring way through songs with more depth, not fluffy Christmas carols. He did sing a couple of his great classic hits but even this lacked energy. Again, he too did too much bantering onstage with Mac Powell, trying to be funny but in reality only wasting time. I was upset that our friends paid so much money for good orchestra seats, and came away thinking, did is what a Christian concert is like? I felt I had to apologize and assure them that concerts like, Chris Tomlin's Worship Night in America, The Outcry Tour, all Hillsong United concerts were far, far better. I even experienced many local bands in small church concerts that were better than this! I really expected more from K-LOVE, the organizers and the artists. We all felt somehow cheated last night. It's too bad, but I will not be going to this concert next year.

This show was legit. Every artist was full of energy and brought a great performance. In all honesty, only bought the tickets to see Lauren Daigle whom I had seen previously live in a bit more of an intimate setting, and NF. Wow was I blown away by the live performances of the other artists. 3for3 came out first to liven up the crowd and being newer on the tour scene were just as good as any other seasoned artist. NF not only turned me from fan to fan girl but delivered a jaw dropping set that confirmed his God given talent. Finding Favour put on a great set, and were fun to watch, but I did feel like they didn't connect as much with this crowd. No other reason than it was probably the crowd. Their music is very familiar and the artists themselves seemed very relatable and kind- definitely had a sense of humor. Lauren Daigle live is just a must see. Hands down her voice is utterly amazing- worship with her is so moving. Crowder, I have to admit, I wasn't anxious to see! And I couldn't have been more wrong in my initial opinion. He put on an AWESOME show. He brought kids up on the stage to play and sing with him, he joked around with his other band mates on stage -really getting the point across about love and family and being one for God. There were definitely parts I wasn't used to- lasers and crazy techno banjo music I wasn't familiar with. However that was the fun of it all. Crowder brought out NF for a portion of one of his songs, which the crowd loved. He really connected with the audience and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I HIGHLY recommend this tour. Afterward even with such a large amount of people, my group of 8 were able to visit with 3for3 and NF. Wonderful and delightful people. GO to this SHOW!

I live in Rochester; David Crowder and company are so talented, sharing, energizing and absolutely one of the top artists as far as talent, songwriting, live performances go that I have seen. and have seen many talented Christian and secular artists.

I saw at Houghton College a few months ago and also saw this show which was amazing, the venue was amazing, the sound, the entire spirit.

Down to earth, blessed, talented; I am sure the shows, the road, the travel is hard and time away from families all of this band, crew and Crowder gives up to share God's message through some incredible worship music, lyrics and on and on.

A blessing and I will go see them again anywhere that is relatively within a few hours drive.

God Bless the entire band, crew and the families. And also this is my workout music; headphones and a little Crowder; the best gym motivation! Thanks to all of you! Mary Mottler Mahoney

mary.mottler@rochester.edu or hughmarymahoney@gmail.com.

Wow... best concert ever.. this group has so much energy and their God given talent shines for everyone to see and hear...! The old saying (born to do this), I believe they were, for these men can play those instruments and sing like no other. With their music they introduce you to Jesus and at the same time tell you as Christians we are not perfect but we are sinners saved by grace. They preach the Gospel and lift the name of Jesus in their songs... and I left the stadium felling blessed. Like my daughter who has seen them 4 times already, I can't wait to see them again and until then, I'll just wear their CDS out.. lol !!

The the one opener was a little hard to understand, but the rest was absolutely amazing! David Crowder got everyone singing along. I went with my sister and one of her friends. During "I See the Light" their wasn't a person their who wasn't fully immersed in the music.

The show was AWESOME! Crowder was just non-stop. It was one great song after the other. The lighting was outstanding and the band was pumped up, energetic and a pretty funny too. We had a blast. Can't wait to do it again in the future.

Crowder was awesome! His music is deep, has a great message. He he is such a great musician, & very artistic. The band is great. Crowder has a great sense of humor too! Loved the show. A must concert.

I believe the man is a musical genius. Great energy, sounds that can hit any music style yet remain individual. Love the new songs hitting on the old hymns. Every one should see him twice!

Crowder put on a awesome concert last night at fellowship Bible Church it was worth every dime and hopefully they'll come back to Topeka Kansas again and I will definitely see them again.

Amazing!!!! Crowder was the one me and my husband were most excited to see and he did not disappoint! Only downfall is him not being the headliner, wish he played longer. Highly recommend