Newsboys United is bringing live music back — and back to Alabama — with the band’s Love One Another Tour.
“We are so excited to be able to come and play to fans,” said Michael Tait, lead singer of Newsboys United. “COVID-19 has changed all of our lives, but through it, we have learned that love is patient and love is kind. Now we have the opportunity to come together safely and express our love for our Creator who has been with us through these trying times.”
SHOWS OCT. 9TH AND 11TH
The Love One Another Tour will make two stops in Alabama. The first show will be at The Amp on Lake Martin in Eclectic on Friday, Oct. 9. The second will be on the lawn of The Church at Wills Creek in Gadsden on Sunday, Oct. 11. The outdoor shows will feature special seating to accommodate social distancing. Both Alabama concerts will feature special guest Adam Agee.
UNUSUAL SEASON
Like other artists, Newsboys saw their 2020 tour plans interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Newsboys drummer Duncan Phillips said the band was in the middle of their United Tour, featuring former Newsboys bandmates Peter Furler and Phil Joel.
They were set up for a show in Pennsylvania and began to hear rumors of shows being halted, Phillips said.
“About 5 or so, we got word that the governor was suspending all shows, which had never happened before,” Phillips said in an interview with TAB.
The band’s next stop was in South Carolina, and promoters said, “”Come on down, the show’s still on,’” Phillips said.
They drove south, and then that show too was cancelled.
“We couldn’t believe it,” he said. “We thought it would be a couple of weeks, maybe a month, and here we are in October just about to go out and do some shows.”
GOOD THINGS TOO
But in the midst of a “crazy, weird and upsetting season,” Phillips said the pandemic has brought some good things too.
“We charge pretty hard. That’s who the Newsboys are,” Phillips said. “We love to do what we’re called to do. But it’s given us a moment just to slow down, unwind, spend time with our families.”
And the band took advantage of the time to write new music and get into the studio.
“We’re excited about the new music we’ve been writing,” Phillips said.
And Phillips is hopeful that in a time when the U.S. seems divided on so many levels, the Love One Another Tour brings a much-needed message.
“The news would have us believe we’re really heavily divided, but I don’t believe that,” he said. “Of course there are divisions in ideologies. We’ve all got our opinions, our point of views — that’s what makes America great. We have the freedom to do that.”
But for people of faith, love remains the priority, he said.
“Ultimately, our faith is about love,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, what you’ve done, what color you are. God is no respecter of persons. We’ve got to get to a point of forgiveness in this country. When we start to forgive each other, that’s when healing can begin.”
DEEPER GRATITUDE
Phillips said the pandemic has given him a deeper gratitude for life, family, a career he loves and faith in a God who provides.
“Ultimately, God is my provider, not Newsboys, not the promoter. If I look at it like that, I’ve still got a roof over my head, I’ve eaten three meals a day. I’ve spent time with family.
“If we truly believe God’s got this, that gives me confidence going forward,” he said. “This isn’t about me, it’s about God’s will — trusting Him takes the worry and pressure off.”
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Newsboys United Love One Another Tour, including how to purchase tickets for the shows in Alabama, go to AwakeningEvents.com.
-Written by Carrie Brown McWhorter
Article reprinted with permission from TAB Media (tabonline.org).