Still buzzing from the experience of being at the Delirious? concert in The Hague last night. Their only Dutch stop on their Farewell Tour before closing down after 17 years of playing together.
In some ways it seems a great pity they are stopping. They have developed a great collection of Christian Rock songs over the years and to be in a full concert hall singing along and jumping up and down with a crowd who knows all the lyrics - that's a great experience. I have mixed feelings going to secular rock concerts because if you are involved and going with the crowd it inevitably seems to become worship of the artist or of the music. Whereas with a Christian band there is always the chance and the hope that some of it will become worship offered to God.
As appropriate to a farewell show the playlist covered the history of the band from their time as 'Cutting Edge' before they adopted the name Delirious? with video clips showing bits of their milestone performances and back-stage fun.
It was a very slick program, combining light show, video and quick changes of attire. But it some way it felt too routine. There was some deep spark missing. There is a time for everything, a time for beginnings and a time for endings. And sad though it to see Delirious? go, it was good to celebrate the end with their fans in this way.
There were speeches and gifts and thanks from the band to their fans. But at the point where Martin Smith was reviewing their history and expressing thanks for their great experience performing all around the world and he said, "and it was always all about ..." I thought he was going to say "Jesus" and we would all cheer, but he said "you" and it fell a bit flat. But in the next sentence he said something about giving glory to God, so we got to cheer then.
And thanks to Sion den Haag for a near perfect organization. Right from the train station they were in their red T-shirts along the route to welcome us and make sure we didn't get lost or walk in front of a tram!
