1. Mr. Talkbox
Starting the evening off with an exciting and surprisingly accessible danceable sound, Mr. Talkbox gave listeners much reason to give his solo venture a shot. Likeable and funny, the brief set was an exciting way to kick things off.
2. Battistelli's Big Hits
Francesca Battistelli is the queen of CCM anthems these past few years. Whether it's the groovy "Write Your Story" or the engaging "Strangely Dim" or the personal "Knows My Name," Franny provided some powerful song moments, boasting one of the best voices in the biz.
3. Battistelli Ballads
Offering intimate and personal contrast to the energetic highlights, more reflective moments like upcoming radio single "If We're Honest" or the worshipful "Holy Spirit" also satisfied.
4. West Energy
Matthew West infused every song with a flawless energy that made them come alive. Be it recent smashes like "Do Something" and "Day One," or classics like "Next Thing You Know" and "More," West carried the undeniable vibe of a seasoned veteran who still had freshness and passion.
5. West Humor
Some of his songs give away that West is a kind of comedian, but seeing his live show presents a whole new level of funny. Be it some improvised ditties about the city and venue or an awkward "stinky neighbor" hug, West found several ways to add comedic levity to the night.
6. West Purpose
Living up to the challenge of his own song ("Do Something"), West took time to talk about the work of Compassion International. I liked that his approach was more personable and less 'commercial' than the standard call to sponsor a child. Relating to the audience on a deeper level seems to make the whole thing feel more real and honest.
7. The Call to Live Forever
The theme of the whole tour could be summed up in the title track, calling Christians to avoid the "you only live once" mentality in favor of the promise of eternal life. The song's performance along with the entire set was infused with this energy. And be it the funny, the motivational, or even the raw personal stories of the broken, Matthew West's set was a call for us to live for something bigger, for eternity. Framing the entire night, this theme lifted up all the proceedings and made for a tight and memorable show. Check it out if it comes near you.
