Concert Review…Mercy Me/Casting Crowns
So tonight, I had the opportunity to go see 10th Avenue North, Mercy Me and Casting Crowns in concert.
Earlier today, after one of our services at Table Rock, a friend of mine(the promoter for the concert) tracked me down and was a bit frantic. Seems that The tour had lost a box of equipment between today and the last show. They needed to borrow about 20 mic clips. No problem. Our church had more than enough and we were able to help. In return, I recieved free tickets to the concert. I wasn’t planning on attending because of cost, but I wasn’t going to pass freebies up. I thought we would be in general seating, but we were given reserved seating. About 3 rows back right in the center. Beautiful!
So first up was 10th Avenue North. I have heard them very little, so I listened intently. They were OK. A nice 4 piece. The highlight was the Lead Electric player. Great tones and he definitely shaped the sound of the band. They had OK songs, but I am sure they would grow on me if I listened more.
Next up was Mercy Me. This disappointed me a little, because I’d hoped they would be the headliner. I have to admit that I am a Mercy Me fan. They are often put into a “typical Christian band” category, but I think that doesn’t do them justice. They are incredible musicians, great songwriters and have tons of personality. I twittered during the concert and had numerous people reply back that they were not Mercy Me fans until they heard them live. I can attest. Mercy Me is incredible live! They were energetic. Tons of stage presence. Their song writing and musicianship shined through. They killed it! They blew me away. The sound was incredible and the production was perfect. They proved they were a band that has been around since 1994. That’s a long time for a band to be together and it showed. I was moved to tears on more than one song. Incredible worship time and great arrangements of their older songs.
The final band was Casting Crowns. I want to speak technically to them first. This may upset some people, but they were OK. Mercy Me was the highlight of this concert. From a professional and experience level, Casting Crowns did not match up. Mercy Me out shined them. It was very evident even from the first song that Casting Crowns was a novice band. They weren’t as polished. Their sound wasn’t as big. Their songs felt “gimmicky”. Kind of like they were pushing for an emotional response. They weren’t bad, they just paled in comparison. It was clear that this was their first or one of their headlining tours.
Now, I want to speak to them “non-technically”. This is a group of people that love God completely and are being faithful to and stewards of the gifts and resources God has blessed them with. Their songs speak to the church. Their challenge is to get “out of the pew” and reach the world for Christ. The lead singer talked about dealing with ADD and Dyslexia. He had lyric prompters so he could remember the words to songs he had written. These were average Joe’s with good abilities getting a chance to shine and share. They did just that. They shared a lot. In fact I spent more time listening to them talk than sing. I don’t like that at concerts, but since I am speaking from a “non-technical place”, they truly ministered to us. They are being responsible for the opportunities God has given them.
All the bands kept us focused on Jesus. I liked that. It was encouraging. We worshipped. We heard great music. And I was with great company. My wife and my son. My daughter was at camp, otherwise she would have joined us.
If you have a chance to check any of these bands out, go for it. I highly recommend Mercy Me. If you are a Casting Crowns fan, I don’t think you will be disappointed, If you are not already a fan of Casting Crowns, you may leave disappointed. With Mercy me however. I think you will be pleased!
Man, I want to see MercyMe.
Thanks for the review.
Joe Louthan’s last blog post…Tithes Are Not Just For The Church
Not a big concert goer! Have heard of Mercy Me & Casting Crowns – I don’t like all the talk – I want to hear them sing – many spend more time selling their wares then singing – A good group is hard to find. I am a “southern gospel’ type.
Indian Lake Papa’s last blog post…I want his eyes and respect!
Joe! You’d love them live!
Papa, casting Crowns spent a lot of time talking, but not about their products…which was good. They did spend a lot of time “preaching”. Not bad stuff. great stories and principles, but If I would have had to pay the $30 for that concert, I would have been bummed that I paid for something I can get for free. When i go to a concert, I want to hear music.
I go to preachers to hear preaching, I go to concerts to hear music! A brief testimony, introduction is okay, but sing to me! Some of my favorite groups are legacy Five, King’s Brass, and I love the Pfiefers! A great family group is the Collingsworth – she can pick at those ivory key’s!
Indian Lake Papa’s last blog post…I want his eyes and respect!
25 years later, and still one of the best concerts I ever saw was Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart. They were just getting started, and played an old movie theater near my college. They must have played for over 4 hours, and Mylon preached for almost half of it. He was real; it was what I needed to here at the time – and they rocked! Still one of my favorite musicians all these years later.
All this to say, you can have great music and preaching too. I kinda miss the fact that most bands these days don’t preach, bring a word, do an altar call, etc. I miss that.
I’m not really into Mercy Me or Casting Crowns, but glad you enjoyed the show.
badguy’s last blog post…Be like Him: Seek, Find, Knock, Go
Thanks for the review. I would’ve been disappointed about Casting Crowns as well- I heard Steven Curtis Chapman on a few occasions, and each time , he spoke more than he played. Agreed- you go to a concert to hear music, though commentary isn’t a bad thing…just in moderation.
I was surprised to hear about Mercy Me, for some reason. All the bands in key? I hate to find out once I get to a concert that a singer’s voice is terrible live. Ugh.
Becca’s last blog post…Empty.
I had a similar experience a couple of years ago when I saw MercyMe open for Audio Adrenaline… MercyMe blew me away! So much talent and love for God, and like you said, great personality. I could have left after they played but the FOH guy had told us that both bands were going to do a combined worship thing at the end of the show; SO worth staying around for, Bart Millard lead an incredible time of worship.
I’m surprised that your wife sat through Casting Crowns! hahahaha
Steve Murphy’s last blog post…First week at Seacoast
I just bought the Tenth Avenue North CD. I’d have to rate it a 7 out of 10. They sound a little like Switchfoot, but they mix it up more. I think they’ll grow on you! They have for me
ryan k’s last blog post…Go Meat!
Bad, I hear you. The preaching part is awesome to understand the songs better. Casting Crowns would share a thought and then sing the song about the thought. But the tickets for this event were $30-$75. I can’t imagine paying that kind of “entertainment” price and spending half the time not hearing the music. Don’t get me wrong, what they said was great and I am sure it was well received.
Becca, thanks for stopping by. Thanks for the comments. I was a little confused by one thing though, were you saying that Bart from mercy me didn’t sing well? He was sick last night at our concert and he still blew us away. Of course sound quality can have a lot to do with it.
Steve, Mercy Me led us in a couple of worship songs and it was incredible. Their passion and leadership was amazing!
Ryan, I will definitely check into them. Last nights concert was definitely not the place to evaluate whether they are good or not. Being an opening band and only getting 30 minutes of stage time is hardly enough time for a final decision. Tam really likes their new single.
murphy – i didnt want to stay for casting crowns. i kept asking brent if we could go
and we did leave early 
tam’s last blog post…i had 8 chips ahoy cookies tonight
$30-$75 for Christian entertainment. Now there’s a subject for a post…
badguy’s last blog post…Featured Artist: Josh Garrels
Tam, what’s the deal with Casting Crowns?? Don’t tell me they’re too hard or something…
Bad… I’ve been beating that one to death for some time now…
MAN.. still no luv
oh how this pains me!!
Casting Crowns was here last week and we didn’t get to see them.
We had wanted to go and talked about it for weeks, but when it came down to it, we didn’t go b/c of the boys. UGH! I was so upset. 
I’m glad you got to see them though!
Brandy’s last blog post…FAT is fabulous!!
Tam, you don’t like Casting Crowns?
Brandy’s last blog post…FAT is fabulous!!
BuddyO – I got your back.
badguy’s last blog post…What year is this? oh yeah, 2008…
Bad? how did YOU get buddyO’s last post on here. youre such a hacker!
buddyO – nope. not a bog fan of casting crown. well, when they first came out i didnt mind them much at all. then they played their first single 852 times a day. every. single. day. then their 2nd one came out…same thing…overplay. and to me, their songs all sound the same.
i just get frustrated with christian radio playing the same songs and bands over and over deciding what we should like. id rather them not set the tone for me. there are SO many great groups out there that dont get play or barely get played at all.
casting crowns members are great – no issue there. im just over them.
is that mean?
tam’s last blog post…i had 8 chips ahoy cookies tonight
Man that’s harsh…
Yeah, if Brent would show some ‘luv’ you’d see that I just wrote about that very thing… the whole idea of ‘Christian Music’ being separated from ‘normal music’… Let the listeners decide.
I don’t listen to christian radio at all. hah!
badguy’s last blog post…What year is this? oh yeah, 2008…
Bad and Buddy…I am working on that post as we speak
Buddy, I don’t know what’s up with the “Luv” thing. I don’t have any options to block or allow anyone, so not sure what else to do. And my post will speak tot he whole “Christian” music scene as separate…
Brandy, I am sure you would have enjoyed them, but I wasn’t a big fan before the concert and after the concert, I am less of a fan.
“after the concert, I am less of a fan.”
yeee-ouch!!
ha!!
hmmmm, didn’t give me luv this time either, but it did before. hmmm…
I am sure the comment luv thing has to do with the new Wordpress upgrades. Hopefully comment luv will have an update soon to take care of the bugs.
Casting Crowns “novice band”? Ouch.
Love me some Crowns, but daggone, Christian radio has totally worn out the records.
Bernard Shuford’s last blog post…More Packers nonsense…
Brandy – comment luv may be having trouble because you’re putting a “www” in your web address. Your blog is actually at http://bransblahg.wordpress.com/, NOT at http://www.bransblahg.wordpress.com/, as far as the true address. Try taking the www out.
Bernard Shuford’s last blog post…More Packers nonsense…
We saw Casting Crowns about a month ago. My family and I don’t usually go to concerts, but we decided to go with the rest of our church’s praise team. I thought they played well, there was considerable amount of preaching which I did not mind. The one thing I did not like, was that the music was just way too loud, I had a hard time hearing the lyrics on some of the songs I did not know. Maybe the sound guy was having a bad night or maybe it was the acoustics, or just me. Maybe I am just spoiled, the last concert my wife and I attended was a very intimate 30 plus people for Shawn Mullins. Him and his guitar. http://www.smgrecords.com/
Now that is talent! But anyways I would go see CC again but would not pay more than $25.00. I can’t wait until Mercy Me comes to pittsburgh! Thanks for the review!
bryan’s last blog post…Dog Care Day…After
Bernard, thanks for the info on Comment Luv. That may be exactly what it is. I do have to qualify my statement of “novice” though. it was in context or comparison to Mercy Me. Casting Crowns is a good band with quality musicians, but it was obvious that Mercy Me was better. But that is the difference of playing together 3 years and 15 years. It did show. And yes, unfortunately, Christian radio wears holes in the same 15-20 songs. It’s a bummer that they don’t play more varieties of music.
Bryan, the sounds for Casting Crowns for us was worse than Mercy me. Not sure why, but they had similar issues as you are mentioning. Hopefully the sound will be right for yo guys when you see Mercy me. I really think you’ll enjoy them. The intimate 30 person concert are always awesome. This one was with 7000 other people and I really liked that as well
I absolutely love concerts. I have seen both bands and I do agree with your review completely. I did really enjoy Casting Crowns and I think that if you see them with someone not quite as dynamic as Bart and Mercy Me, that they may have even been a little better for you. Unfortunately for anybody that tries Mercy Me is a hard act to follow both musically and “talkingly”.
TobyMac puts on a great show also but you have to be into that kind of music.
BTW…..I was involved with the NMFAPIMWLC and I have lost 30 pounds. Saw that most people are done with it. But wanted to get that last weigh in in there.
Theresa’s last blog post…Friends and Laughing
Theressa, Incredible job! Well done! I am done with the official NMFAPIMWLC challenge, but I am going to stick with some things and keep going to achieve more goals.
The Beauty and I saw Casting Crowns last year and absolutely loved the show (we’re BIG fans). As with most everything in life, it’s relative and one person’s cup of tea is not necessarily another’s.
For the record, though – Casting Crowns has been together in it’s current form since 2003….some have been with the band since it was formed in 1999. So, it’s not like they’re a bunch of novices who haven’t performed together….in fact, they often perform together at their home church in Georgia.
I’ve not seen Mercy Me….really want to but we don’t get to very many concerts because of the cost involved.
givemejesus’s last blog post…Friday Funny – Southern Ponderings
Hey Rick. Ya, Casting Crowns as a band has been around that long, but not signed and touring. That makes a big difference. When you step on a stage in front of 7000 people, there is a different kind of energy that had to take place to keep them engaged. And “novice” was only in comparison to Mercy Me. hope you get to hear them someday. They’ll blow you away.
I’ve seen Mercy Me in concert a few times… the first was before they were big at all, at a PlanetWisdom student conference. They were great, and we saw them at a restaurant in between sessions once and got to talk to them. They were all super nice and friendly and made jokes with us and stuff. It was pretty cool.
I really cannot beleive the words on this review. I have seen both Mercy Me and Casting Crowns multiple times in concert. I have taught music theory, am a vocalist and have a father who is also a Christian singer with the group one voice so I guess this gives me a keen eye for musical talent. First off upon seeing multiple Mercy Me concerts they in no way have ever out shown Casting Crowns. In a Mercy Me concert I feel uninspired and like I am watching just another concert. Casting Crowns on the other have such an emphasis on how important the Christian walk is and you can see it in their performance. They are not at all self concerned, but totally focus on Christ the entire concert and as for their music amazing. I have never in my life loveda group more than Casting Crowns. Their lyrics are perfect and as if they are “God Breathed” and their musical abilities are wonderful. Mercy Me in my eyes can never surpass the talent and shear love for Christ that Casting Crowns shows.
Nikki, Sounds like your a big fan of Casting Crowns. That’s fine.
Ouch! So you know the hearts of the Mercy Me guys?
Too bad you weren’t at this concert. Mercy me blew Casting Crowns away on every level.
MercyMe are great as a music group.I saw them with a friend in an open air concert a couple of years back and they rocked.
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