Planning to catch the recently-Grammy nominated Danny Gokey on the road soon? Here's a summary of what you can expect along the way, as reported from his set on the Philadelphia stop of the Rise Out of the Dark tour.
The Artist: One of American Idol's most cherished gifts to CCM.
The Tour: The Rise Out of the Dark Tour
Need To Know Tidbits: Splitting a headlining slot with Mandisa, Gokey was given ample room to shine with both hits and lesser-known cuts. Gokey has a personable and relatable stage presence that makes his music connect beyond just the melody.
Set Highlights: Signature debut hit "Hope in Front of Me" is still one of Gokey's most dynamic and engaging songs, and remains so in the live set. Emotional ballad "Tell Your Heart To Beat Again" will make even coldest of attendees melt. A surprise Christmas number injected some sentimental power into the night.
Set Surprises: Aforementioned Christmas cut, "Mary Did You Know," an apparent impromptu inclusion, was a strong centerpiece of the night. A few of the cuts were multi-lingual, with a Latin flare dominating several of the set's cuts. The grand finale, which found Gokey sharing the stage with fellow Idol alumni Mandisa and Jasmine Murray for Mandisa's "Bleed The Same" and a worship-driven grand finale, definitely brought the house down. Or maybe raised it up is a better term?
The Verdict: Danny Gokey is one of the most accessible singers in CCM, boasting a sound that is both heartfelt and relatable. It's easy to like the guy just from seeing his live show and fans of all kinds should find his show one of strong artistic merit.
