Outcry Tour 2016
August 20
Cedar Park, Texas
In today’s concert industry, sometimes the multi-act packages attract fans of a particular artist. I had seen Hillsong United last February, so seeing Hillsong Worship (a different, but connected performance band from the Hillsong tribe) was not on my immediate “must-see” list, but since Kari Jobe was on the bill, it was a must-see for me. Her epic “Revelation Song” is such a show-stopping worship tune that I just couldn’t miss it.
Worship tour packages are a unique beast when it comes to concerts. While in a fairly large hockey arena, the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, the format was quite different than the typical traveling show. For starters, it was a six-act bill. Secondly, it featured a couple breaks where a speaker or a giant video presentation was made. World Vision had a nice presentation about the great work that they do with child sponsorships and rendering aid after disasters all over the world. There was also a sermon of sorts, which was a unifying call to community. The most drastic difference in this show and others, however, is the element of the supernatural. Lots of artists will bring tear-jerking and sentimental moments to the concert arena (country music comes to mind), but the dual activity of singing praise to God and proclaiming God’s praise to those in attendance has with it a dynamic that is quite something else. Yes, there was fantastic graphics that splashed the song lyrics up on multiple video screens, but the words were all praise. With hands raised to the ceiling, eyes closed or looking up, it’s a religious experience. This difference must be glaring to an outsider.
The whole gang came out at first (Kari Jobe, Rend Collective, Hillsong folks and others), starting off the evening with a couple tunes. It was like a way to let the audience know that we were all in this together, as well as a fun way to get to see the headliners (Jobe and Hillsong) early. It was just a couple songs and then the artist rotation began.
Urban Rescue came out next, played a short 10-minute set. Elevation Worship came on, was more familiar to the crowd and played a hit called “Resurrecting” that lit up the faces of those in attendance. Housefires played another 20 minutes, which kept the energy moving.
I forgot how cool Rend Collective was. These Irish musicians bring an electric energy and eclectic sound to their performance. “Texans are the closest thing you guys have to the Irish,” frontman Chris Llewellyn said, as he applauded the audience for being lively and also encouraging them to join in their jig, “Build Your Kingdom Here.”
“We are Your church / we need Your power in us…” The song builds and builds, coaxing even the most stoic audience member to move about a little and maybe even dance. They’ve got energy to spare, and they spend it all on this song, moving the audience in its prayer anthem. Musically, these blokes are the highlight of the evening.
After the World Vision talk, which results in massive numbers of child sponsorships (which translates into changed lives for each of those children and their families), Kari Jobe came on, unassuming and casual. After “Breathe on Us” and “Let the Heaven’s Open,” she went into her showstopper, “Revelation Song.” Only thing was she went into it like a rock song … and that works. With most people in the crowd of nearly 10,000 or so knowing the words, it was a collective moment. There’s something about singing words directly from the Bible back to the Lord – especially one that the angels and people in heaven are singing. I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t a solo song, with her voice soaring into the arena, filling us with awe by Jobe’s beautiful voice and the powerful, stunning yet simple words. I would have preferred that, but it was still plenty worshipful as an uptempo tune.
She followed that up with a slight rendition of “Break Every Chain,” which is like a prophetic prayer, asking for divine deliverance. “Nothing But the Blood” followed and she shared the lead vocals with others in her band, which was another surprise. She wrapped up with one of her more recent hits, “Forever,” and then it was on to Hillsong.
It was fun to see the expressive artists expand their thoughts beyond the lyric shows and emotive vocals. A guitarist sported the revolutionary message that “JESUS WAS A REFUGEE” on the back of her plain white t-shirt. Another piano had giant 5″ letters wrapping around the side that read, “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS.”
Combined with the spoken words of a speaker, the entire event really came off as a celebration. This was also aided by a brilliant and state-of-the-art light show that, combined with the graphical video screens, never let up.
With the audience participating so much, it was easy to start to tire after 4 hours. With pointed and poignant words, inviting everyone to enter in to worship and also make a difference and change their world locally, they finished up with a big dance tune called “Alive.”
People appeared refreshed as they filed out. It’s no wonder. The church was encouraged. Jesus was lifted up. The air was electric. Someone otherworldly was surely there.
Review and Photos by Doug Van Pelt
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