The cold wind blew across my face, causing me to shiver, as I stood in line outside the Save Mart Center waiting for one of the biggest events of the year in Christian music; Winter Jam.  Winter Jam was held on November 10th at the Savemart Center. This year’s performance included the talents of OBB, We are Messengers, Stars Go Dim, Love and the Outcome, Newsong, Family Force 5, Lincoln Brewster, Jamie Grace, for King and Country, and Skillet; not to mention special speakers, Sadie Robertson and Tony Nolan.

As I walked into the Savemart Center arena, I was amazed by the massive size of the stadium and how many people were present. It was slow progress attempting to make a way through the human mass, to secure some good seats. I looked onto the stage and saw OBB playing “All Eyes on You”, the sound of their music reverberated through the massive complex, as I walked down the stairs to my seat.

When I finally found a good seat and sat down, the show had moved on from the first portion; I listened, as various bands played. Family Force 5 was an energetic performance that included trampolines and lots of loud, fun music. Newsong, the founders of Winter Jam, came up later in the concert and performed. They had a much different type of music; their music seemed to transport you to the south, where the sounds of their spiritual style music made you feel as if you were in a old Baptist church.

Then Lincoln Brewster came up and started playing “Made New”from his 2014 album O2; the crowd went wild as the lights flashed back and forth creating a party like atmosphere. Brewster then played a Christmas instrumental and the sounds of guitar filled the room.   

After Brewster came up, the crowd went silent as the lights dimmed then rose.  For King and Country came on stage singing “Run Wild”, the title song from their album Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong; the crowd started jumping and singing along. Of all the groups, so far in the concert, For King and Country energized the crowd the most. One of their most upbeat songs would be “Fix my Eyes”, one of my favorite songs personally. The song talks about fixing your eyes on what is important, God, and not getting distracted by the things of this world. After this, they played a variety of songs most of them from their album Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong.

After for King and Country came Jamie Grace. As she started her session, she broke the ice with some jokes and then went on to play some of her best songs. Including “I Love the Way You Hold Me” from her album One Song at a Time.    

Finally at the end of the night Skillet, which was perhaps the most popular of all the bands playing that evening, performed. As their set started, two musicians came out, one played a violin; the other a cello; as they played Skillet came on stage. At every hard strum of an instrument, fire erupted from pyrotechnics in front of the stage; the flames were so impressive, that from my position 100 yards back,I could feel the flames. The theater shook with the immense bass of the concert.  As the show continued, special platforms lifted, bringing some of the band members 50 feet into the sky.

As I stepped outside the Savemart Center I felt renewed after an evening of great music.  

The concert was good overall with great variety and genres. However at some points the concert was a little boring because the music did not grab the audience’s attention very well.   
                            

[rwp-review id=”0″]