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JFH Concert Review


Saints and Sinners Tour 2015

 

Saints and Sinners Tour
10/15/15, at Amplify Church, Pittsburgh PA

Matt Maher, in support of his latest album which dropped earlier this year, rounded up some of his Rock & Roadshow cohorts and hit the road for the Fall leg of the Saints & Sinners Tour.

Up first was newcomer Hannah Kerr, in her first ever touring appearance. While her set was brief, she showcased a beautiful voice and some catchy, ready-for-radio CCM tunes. She reminds me a lot of Moriah Peters, and I think she has a bright future ahead of her. Her debut EP I Stand Here is now available on iTunes.

Next up was Jon Guerra, who was one of the more pleasantly surprising acts at The Roadshow earlier this year. Accompanied by his wife on violin, Guerra beautifully sang a few songs from his newest album, Little Songs, with a Dylan-esque vulnerability that makes him so easy to enjoy. Perhaps the standout was his song "Stained Glass" and explanation of how, much like a stained glass window, made up of broken pieces, God puts us together to make something wholly unique and beautiful.

I was privileged to get to photograph I Am They for the third time this year at this show as well. However, this is my first time seeing the show with new lead singer Abbie Parker at the helm. Her voice is definitely different from her predecessor's, but it still meshes well with the folksy rhythm of the rest of the band and she is a welcome addition to the lineup. I Am They went through their usual breakout hits, full of fire and fervent foot stomping, clapping, and tamborining energy. They are always a joy to witness live and there are some powerful testimonies within the group.

After a short intermission, the man of the hour, Matt Maher took the stage. Maher worked through most of his huge hits, but the set was rightfully skewed towards the tour's namesake album. Threaded throughout the set were moments where Maher explained the meaning and inspiration behind the songs, many of which were grounded in Catholicism. For a non-Catholic, and someone who isn't well studied on certain Saints and lore, I appreciated the information and it allowed me to connect further with Maher's material. Matt Maher has a lot of songs that personally resonate with me, but on this night, the one that stands out the brightest is his song "Instrument." Based off of St. Francis of Assissi's prayer, this song and the preceding monologue was the highlight of the night. Such a beautiful prayer and song to cap off a wonderful night of worship.

-- BJ Smith, 10/23/15

Saints and Sinners Tour 2015 Photo Gallery
click on an image for a bigger size
**vertical images cropped for thumbnails**

Hannah Kerr

Jon Guerra

I Am They

Matt Maher

*all photos by B.J. Smith 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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