Barrowlands Ballroom, Friday 11th May concert review by Tom Lennie.

Third Day

The visit of Third Day to Scotland on Friday 11th May was an added blessing to many Christian music lovers north of the border already eagerly anticipating a live music feast just a few weeks later - the third annual Frenzy festival at Ingliston on 9th June. This was the final gig in the Atlanta rockers' four-date mini UK tour, having previously played in London, Cardiff and Belfast. Now, courtesy of Trevor King Entertainments and assisted locally by Motherwell's Calvary Christian Fellowship, they were in Glasgow's historic Barrowlands Ballroom in the East end of the city. Support act at both this and the Irish concert was Belfast eclectic folkster Brian Houston. Hitting the stage at bang on the appointed hour, accompanied by no more than guitar, harmonica and a remarkably strong voice, Houston delighted the audience with a selection of rootsy self-penned songs from his extensive repertoire (he's had around a dozen albums!). Thus were we treated to a song or two from his latest, critically acclaimed 'Sugar Queen' as well as "I'll Fly Away", a gentle yet poignant piece written on the death of a friend's new-born baby. "When I fly away/Don't search for me/I'll be safe in the hiding place of grace/Where my angel waits for me." Then came the tune for which this troubadour is best known, the anthemic "We Don't Need Religion", to which chorus all needed little encouragement to lustily join in. A couple of fine praise tunes ensued, viz "Miracle In My Heart" (with his infectious "Oo-ooo" squawks, at which Lene Lovich-styled sounds Brian is admirably adept!) and even a touching chorus of "Jesus Loves Me". I've heard many of Brian's albums, yet still wasn't quite prepared for the force of his on-stage charisma - he really does capture your whole attention for every minute of his act. It's just a shame that his set lasted no more than half an hour, his time being formally restricted. You're left hungering for more. Still, this made a great appetiser.

Brian Houston

There followed a short interval and an appeal from Cardiff-based youth worker Nigel James for financial support for two relief projects, including a church-plant initiative in India largely funded by Third Day. Then the US five-piece hit the stage, blasting the hall with their opening "Tunnel" and a string of other stomping, energising Southern rock tunes. This was all to the fans' obvious delight, though I have to confess that such was the sonic thrust of these opening songs that it was near impossible to distinguish any of the lyrics. Not that that concerned many present, however, who knew the words of each song by heart. Third Day are unquestionably one of the biggest names in American CCM; the deep, gutsy vocals of lead singer Mac Powell helping give them a distinctive sound. Around a thousand people had turned out for this event; considerably less, no doubt than would have been the case had it not been exam time in Scottish schools. Some had travelled considerable distances to be at the gig - from south of the border, from across the Irish Sea, and from as far north as the Outer Hebrides. The said Mr Powell (who proudly claimed his mother's ancestry to be Scottish!) was well taken with the warm northern reception, and he recalled it to be on a par with that accorded the band on their previous Scottish visit - at Frenzy '05. Further songs rendered were a mixture of worship and more mainstream rock offerings, picked from virtually each of their recordings. But midway through the set came a surprise rendition of REM's "The One I Love", accompanied vocally by aforementioned Mr Houston (who otherwise mingled with the crowd as the band played, allowing yours truly the opportunity of engaging in chat). One of the Georgia-based combo's less-rocky moments was the piano-based "Cry Out To Jesus", sensitively recognising the pain and hurt in many people's lives. In the directly worship category came favourites like "Consuming Fire", "You Are Good To Me", and, of course, "God Of Wonders", which had nearly all arms raised in adoration. Other lively numbers had many bopping to heart's delight. The crowd refused to leave without a couple of encores, the second of which was the popular "Creed", during which the crowd united in bold affirmation when asked "Do You Believe. . .in God the Father/Jesus The Son". An evening to be remembered for years to come.