NRT's Micah Garnett rounds up some of the best music videos and lyric videos shot at Winter Jam tour stops over the years.
As the premier tour in Christian music, Winter Jam offers a live concert experience unlike any other. Every year, thousands of passionate music fans flock to sold-out arenas for an evening of rock, worship, and unforgettable performances. The stage becomes a gathering place each night with a common purpose: to forget about outside worries and pressures and to be united as a family in our love for music. This year for the first time that experience was brought to theater screens and now living rooms across the country with the release of This Is Winter Jam (now available on DVD here).
Because of the unparalleled exposure, many artists and bands have chosen to film their performances in the past, releasing them as either live music videos or full-length DVDs. Here are some of our favorite videos recorded at Winter Jam.
1. We Are Messengers - "I Don't Have The Answers" (2016)
When it comes to We Are Messengers, less is more. The Irish worship band offered the 2016 Winter Jam Tour an acoustic rendition of the brutally honest "I Don't Have The Answers" from their recent debut album. Despite its massive setting, the video is surprisingly intimate (one could easily mistake this as part of a coffee house set), conveying the deep emotion felt in the song through a heartfelt performance by frontman Darren Mulligan. From start to finish, the video proves that We Are Messengers are comfortable on any stage.
2. for KING & COUNTRY - "It's Not Over Yet" (2016)
One of the biggest draws of Winter Jam is that it brings together some of the best talents in the music industry for an unprecedented night of music. No strangers to the Winter Jam tour, for KING & COUNTRY quickly became known as a standout act among their accomplished peers. After watching the video for "It's Not Over Yet," it is easy to see why. Backed by a live string section, brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone take over the arena with their unfailingly charismatic stage presence and audience interaction, taking selfies and giving out high fives without missing a beat. If "It's Not Over Yet" doesn't convince you to buy a ticket to the next for KING & COUNTRY show, I don't know what will.
3. Thousand Foot Krutch - "Let The Sparks Fly" (2014)
It's no secret that Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan is good friends with American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, but the band still managed to shock the world when they invited Underwood to perform "Let The Sparks Fly" with them during a 2014 stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Underwood, a longtime fan of the band, felt right at home on the stage, injecting an extra dose of energy with her presence. The result was one of the most memorable and exciting performances in Winter Jam history, breaking down barriers and stigmas between faith and the mainstream.
4. Blanca - "Who I Am" (2015)
After leaving Group 1 Crew for a solo act in 2013, Blanca proceeded to turn heads with her self-titled debut album, earning her a rightful spot on the 2015 Winter Jam line-up. A pop artist through and through, Blanca's musical versatility and relatable lyrics helped her capture the attention of the audience and never let go. It was only fitting that Blanca closed her set with "Who I Am," a powerful declaration of her identity in Christ as well as her ever-growing confidence as a solo artist.
5. Francesca Battistelli - "Holy Spirit" (2015)
Along with show-stopping moments and pulse-pounding performances, Winter Jam also allows attendees a chance to worship outside of a typical church setting. Francesca Battistelli's 2015 video for "Holy Spirit" invites viewers into the arena for a peek at what this worship is like. A gorgeous rendition of the popular worship song, "Holy Spirit" starts out slow-- almost unassuming-- but quickly builds to a climax in power and scope. The presence of God is evident in the video as thousands of fans let go of outside burdens and baggage to let the Holy Spirit flow through them, giving us a tiny but moving picture of heaven on earth. In this moment, nothing else matters.
6. Skillet - Awake And Live (2013)
After releasing Comatose Comes Alive in 2008, Christian rock mainstay Skillet decided to treat fans to another live DVD in the form of Awake & Live. Awake & Live was recorded during the band's headlining stint on the 2012 Winter Jam tour and was released on the deluxe edition of Rise the following year. Featuring nine hits spanning their two most recent albums, Awake & Live gave fans a taste of Skillet's incredible live show from the comfort of their own couch (the giant monster head alone is worth the price of admission). The deluxe edition of Rise can be purchased here.
7. Lauren Daigle - "How Can It Be" (2016)
Thanks to her powerhouse vocals and endearing songwriting, Lauren Daigle has recently become a household name in Christian music. Daigle is one of the rare artists whose live vocals surpass the stellar production of her recordings, making her live shows a real treat. She most recently appeared on the 2016 Winter Jam tour, where she recorded a video for her song "How Can It Be." Inspired by the emotion and intensity of the crowd, Daigle pours out her heart to God in front of thousands of strangers, leading to a very special moment on the Winter Jam stage.
8. Disciple - Live From The PNW (2015)
Disciple: Live From The PNW is chock-full of everything you've come to expect from a Disciple concert: wailing guitar solos, in-your-face screams, and more explosive excitement than a shot of your favorite energy drink. Filmed during the band's 2014 Winter Jam set, the live video initially only included five songs, with three more added on Disciple's Best Of album two months later. Disciple wasn't afraid to dig deep into their extensive repertoire for their set-- Live From The PNW boasts classics such as "Dear X, You Don't Own Me," "Game On" and "Rise Up." The result is organized chaos, something that Disciple pulls off oh-so-well. If you missed out on Disciple's 2014 Winter Jam set the first time around, the live videos can be purchased here.
One of the funkier selections on this list, Sidewalk Prophets has appeared on several Winter Jam tours, dispensing their signature dose of fun to every city they've visited. In 2016 the band recorded a live performance of fresh fan-favorite "Something Different" from their 2015 album of the same name. In the video, Sidewalk Prophets shares their love of music-- and Jesus-- with the world. Frontman David Frey is clearly having a blast onstage, and his playful attitude is infectious. Just try not to bob your head while watching the video.
10. Plumb - "Need You Now" (2014)
Plumb, a Christian music legend of 19 years, has seen just about everything the industry has to offer. However, it wasn't until 2014 that she finally earned her first appearance on the eclectic Winter Jam roster. Plumb took advantage of the exposure by recording a live video for her smash hit single "Need You Now." What sets "Need You Now" apart from the other videos on this list is that it intersperses traditional music video clips along with live video taken from Winter Jam 2014, making it a unique and interesting watch.
Are there any standout Winter Jam live videos we missed? Share in the comments!
Micah Garnett is a lifelong Christian music fan who is currently studying Music Business at Visible College at its Lansing, Illinois campus, where he serves as student body president.
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