Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “What is one of the best shows you ever attended?”
I will go the concert route on this one, as I’ve only ever seen one “Broadway” show, Les Misérables, in downtown Louisville, KY. I have little remembrance of the show, however, as I don’t think we had very good seats.[1]
But I’ve been to quite a few concerts, and here are my top five:
At the top of the list is probably Coldplay. Pam and I went on a double date with our son, Matthew, and his wife, Kylie (pictured above). It was August 6, 2016, a comfortable summer night—the temperatures were perfect. It was Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams tour, and the outdoor stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, was full. Chris Martin’s energy, along with the captivating music and kaleidoscope of colors from the stage show, attire of the band, multi-colored, changing light bands worn by all, and fireworks, made for a night that felt like a rich, impressionistic painting and global celebration.
Jim Brickman with Susan Ashton—it was Christmas and a rare night out in the 90s for Pam and me. Having young children and being in seminary, we had little money. Having several months to plan and save, on the night of the event, we secured a babysitter, got all decked out, and ate at a nice restaurant. Pam looked especially beautiful in her black skirt and green velour top. It turned out to be an unforgettable, special, and magical night.
DC Talk and Audio Adrenaline– DC Talk was the headliner, and this was one of the biggest tours in CCM history, complete with large screens, performed during the peak of their career. They had just released what was arguably one of the greatest CCM albums of all time, Jesus Freak.
Michael W. Smith– I think I’ve seen him perform live four times, but the first time, February 24, 1991, was the most memorable. I was a youth leader who had brought our church group, and DC Talk opened for him. Besides experiencing such a great show by someone I respected both for his musicianship and spiritual influence, I remember him suddenly pausing the concert toward the very end to have a prayer and inform us that President George H. W. Bush had just given the order for our ground troops to invade Iraq as part of Operation Desert Storm.
Dan Fogelberg—this was near Christmas in the early 2000s at a small venue called the Keswick Theater. We went with our good friends, Dave and Kim Anderson, and it was shortly before he received what turned out to be a terminal diagnosis of prostate cancer. His piano and guitar playing were flawless, and I was mesmerized. At one point, I remember him being so caught off guard by the phenomenal acoustics that he stopped momentarily and said, “Damn, that sounds good.”
Honorable mentions: Regina Spektor (twice), U2, Petra (3 times), White Heart, Peter Frampton, Gordon Lightfoot (twice), Rich Mullins with friends Ashley Cleveland and Carolyn Arends, Bruce Coburn with Patty Larkin, Michael Card, Wayne Watson, Don Francisco; Phil Keaggy, Switchfoot (2-3 times), Julian Lage, Amy Grant (her ex-husband, Gary Chapman opened for her and Wayne Kirkpatrick played lead guitar), Sting, Tallest Man on Earth, Newsboys, Norah Jones, Glen Hansard, Madison Cunningham, Five for Fighting, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Rebecca St. James (twice), and PFR.
In a category all by itself, Pam and I try to go yearly in early December to Princeton University to see the NJ Symphony Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah. Besides the timeless beauty of the music, it has been a great date and way to start the Christmas season.
What’s your favorite concert or show you’ve ever been to?
[1] We also recently saw Festival of the Lion King, a high-energy, 30-minute Broadway-style stage show located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.