Maple Noise

Wow, it's been almost a week since the Newsboys concert and I have yet to blog about it! You know you've been busy when. Anyway. Living in Moncton is pretty fantastic. There are so many bands that come here! I was planning to go to Maple Noise for a long time, even before I knew I was going to be working at Journey. So I had a ticket bought. But when I came on here, and 30 of my new friends wanted to go to, I decided to buy a 2nd ticket so I could party with everyone else! It was so much fun.

The show was a bit of a marathon. I think 10 bands in 6 hours is a little overkill. 5 bands would have been just lovely. This isn't Warped Tour. I got there at 5 to get everyone's tickets and spent a bit of time hanging outside the church. I got in just as Manic Drive was starting their set. I went up front and jumped around with a bunch of students, got some pictures. It was super loud, and they had bass with no bass player. Interesting indeed. Moving on.

The next act I remember is Jodi King. I liked her. I knew one of her songs from the radio, and it was pop piano music. I'll take it. I also remember Jonny Diaz. He was really great, just an acoustic guitar and a cahon! I decided I'd let myself buy one CD, and since I enjoyed his set so much, and his CD's were $10, I picked him. It's great so far. Then came another lovely act, Greg Sczebel. He reminded me of a cross between Elton John and Ben Folds. Very blues-like. The bass player was my favorite.

I believe it was after Greg Sczebel that the concert hosts did a talk about World Vision and sponsoring a child. Some of our students asked if they could sponsor a child as a group! Cool! So we sponsored Tanjina, a little girl from Bangladesh. It was a pretty cool moment. Consequently, we now have a free Greg Sczebel CD to give our at Youth Group. Ouuuuu.

Manafest were next. I know lots of people like them but it is just not my style of music, I cannot get into them at all. This was my 2nd time seeing them. Still nothing. After Manafest it was Thousand Foot Crutch, or TFK [I can't call them that after all those years of saying it the long way]. Again, it was loud, and... loud. Highlights included the spine mic stand and the guy with the dreads.

Finally, at close to 10pm (seriously?) Newsboys came on and the entire mood of the room changed. It was obvious lots of people were there for them and weren't too sure about the earlier bands. I've heard a few people have written off the Newsboys because of Michael Tait, so they just sound like DC Talk now. Well maybe, but who cares, they were still good. There were lots of lights and elevated platforms, and lots of songs we all knew and could be excited about. The best part was the worship. Looking behind me and seeing a row of my grade 9's enveloped in the presence of God is pretty awesome. I also work with the coolest bunch of Pastors I know. Almost all of us were there, it was so much fun! The epic encore featured a brand new song, Jesus Freak (EEEEEEEEE) and a spinning drum set! It was pretty spectacular.

The next morning came way too early and we were all pretty groggy at work. So worth it though :)

Photos