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JFH Concert Review


MercyMe Live Tour 2016

 

MercyMe Live Tour
4/23/16, at Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, AL

Breaking out in the early 2000's with their career-making hit, "I Can Only Imagine," MercyMe has been a mainstay on Christian radio ever since, and has blossomed into one of the biggest worship bands still around. I recently saw their performance along with openers Zealand Worship and Citizen Way. What I didn't expect was (all things considered) one of the best concerts I have been to.

Zealand Worship started things off with a 5-song set list that included their hit "Love Never Fails" and a cover of the Newsboys hit "He Reigns." Lead singer Phil Joel (a former long standing member of Newsboys) did a fantastic job, as did the rest of the band. The praise and worship style of music that was performed was a perfect start to the night. Up next was Citizen Way, who brought a pop music style to the concert. Their biggest hit, "Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)," started the 6 songs they performed, and throughout the entire show, lead singer Ben Calhoun was all over the stage, bringing the most energy to the stage of any artist of the night. Fans of the newer style of Hawk Nelson should definitely give these guys a listen.

Headliner MercyMe did not waste any time getting the show started with "Gotta Let it Go," and flowed directly into "New Lease" and "Shake." The show only got better as it went along, especially when they did a medley of some of the songs they didn't have time to perform in their entirety, such as "Be Glorified" and "Surrender." Some of the best lighting happened during that portion of the night, with white lights shining on the crowd and spinning as they reached the ceiling. Following that was the most personal moment of the night, as lead singer Bart Millard spoke on his childhood experiences with his abusive father and more importantly how his father got saved before passing away from cancer. As someone who just lost my father-in-law, this was definitely the most emotional experience I've had at a concert in a while, and more so for my wife. Following that powerful story were 3 songs that were written from that experience; "Finally Home," "Dear Younger Me," and "Imagine." The 2-song encore of "Sparrow" and "Greater" ended the night for the popular worship band.

The Dothan Civic Center was a great place for the event to be held, and it held the roughly 2,000 people nicely--and there were no sound issues. The lighting was fantastic as well, as none of the artists had their time on stage compromised by low lighting (except when used for effect). The inclusion of Citizen Way for this tour was a great choice to mix things up on stage and give the audience a different sound to hear. With all that, and great song choices by all the bands, this was one of the best CCM concerts I've ever been a part of.

-- John Breuer, 5/1/16

 

Zealand Worship List

  1. Love Never Fails
  2. He Reigns
  3. Your Love is Wild
  4. That's Who You Are
  5. Good Good Father
Citizen Way Set List

  1. Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)
  2. Elevator
  3. Set it on Fire
  4. Amazing Grace
  5. When I'm with you
  6. Bulletproof
MercyMe Set List

  1. Gotta Let it Go
  2. New Lease
  3. Shake
  4. Move
  5. You Are I Am
  6. Wishful Thinking
  7. Beautiful
  8. Bring the Rain
  9. Welcome to the New
  10. (Medley of Songs)
  11. Flawless
  12. Finally Home
  13. Dear Younger Me
  14. Imagine
  15. Sparrow
  16. Greater

 

MercyMe Live Tour 2016 Photo Gallery
click on an image for a bigger size
**vertical images cropped for thumbnails**

Zealand Worship

Citizen Way

MercyMe

*all photos by John Breuer and are the property of the photographer and Jesusfreakhideout.com

 



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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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