I saw MuteMath last night at the House of Blues with some friends.
All I can say is “WOW.”
There is something incredibly inspiring about seeing people do what they are passionate about with reckless abandonment.
I was so inspired by the energy, creativity, and passion that they exuded and what blew me away was not only the band’s performance, but the crowd’s response.
It was not just them performing and us observing… it was an experience we all participated in.
The way we interact and experience things is changing, and I think the moments that stick with you the most are the ones where everyone is engaged and participating.
MuteMath and Tall as Lions did an amazing job… and so did everyone that was there.
I stopped following @imogenheap earlier this year as she was recording her latest project, Ellipse. Girl twittered like it was going out of style. It was too much.
But, being a fan, I downloaded Ellipse this morning. Two listens in, I’m already in love.
So creative. Breathtaking at moments. Lots of energy. Just all around fantastic album.
Go ahead and get it because you will, eventually. It will be all the rage. Just wait.
I mean, just watching this trailer, how could you not want to get it?
For the past few weeks I’ve been jamming out to Hillsong’s latest release, Faith+Hope+Love, which released in early July at the Hillsong Conference and is set to hit the USA in early August.
This is Hillsong’s 18th live recording and I would argue one of their best to date.
Rather than one huge recording night in Sydney’s Acer Arena, this album was recorded over three nights at Hillsong’s city and Hills campuses, as well as at the Acer Arena.
You wouldn’t tell the difference on the CD itself, they never skip a beat!
Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech, Brooke Fraser and Reuben Morgan are the main leaders throughout the album with a few new voices interspersed.
The album features 13 tracks, 2 of which were on the chart-topping Hillsong United release A Cross the Earth (No Reason to Hide and You Hold Me Now).
Some personal favorites on the CD include:
The First and Last – an upbeat anthem that has Hillsong’s synonymous signature sound.
It’s Your Love – a passionate declaration of faith.
Yahweh – you can feel the energy of the crowd across this song.
His Glory Appears – maybe my favorite song on the album, I only wish it was longer. An absolutely beautiful song by Brooke Fraser.
You Hold Me Now – pretty sure this will be Hillsong’s next big hit song. This song talks about life after this life, and the hope we have to be in God’s eternal embrace.
Watch a preview here:
Sure, I’m a bit partial to Hillsong, but the thing I love and appreciate about them is that they aren’t a band, it’s a Church and their music is simply a reflection of what God is speaking to them. And, from the sound of it, God is doing some really significant things at Hillsong.
The DVD offers a unique view into their two main church venues in the Hills district and downtown Sydney… much more paired down than their usual stadium feel for their DVDs, although there are a few songs that were recorded at the Acer Arena.
From the Hillsong Music site:
“Beyond the sound, the rhythm, the art… beyond the strings, the keys, the melodies… beyond the stage, the set, the lights… are the PEOPLE. Ordinary men, women & children, from all walks of life, in all sorts of circumstances and each one with a unique story to tell. This is the Church… and this is Hillsong’s 18th Live praise and worship album ‘faith+hope+love’. EveryONE together playing their part and lending their voice to the collective story, OUR story. Recorded LIVE in March 2009, over 3 weekends and locations, the people of Hillsong Church gathered across our city – in their respective campuses – and then united together as ONE in celebration of an ever good and gracious God. Led by the Hillsong worship team including Hillsong UNITED, Darlene Zschech & Reuben Morgan, this album features 13 songs of FAITH in the midst of personal circumstances, HOPE in Jesus for the future, and LOVE – one for another. The prayer is that ‘Faith+Hope+Love’ will breathe the light, love and freedom of Christ into your life, and continue to give expression to what God is doing in and through PEOPLE all over the Earth.”
Their live albums, which have spanned the past decade, have influenced the way the church worships. Songwriters from Hillsong have penned songs like “Shout to the Lord”, “From the Inside Out,” “You Said,” “Mighty to Save,” and “Hosanna.”
While they are known for their live albums in from their church in Sydney led by Darlene Zschech, Reuben Morgan and the Hillsong United team (their youth band) one thing you might not know is that Hillsong is an international multi-site church, with churches in major world cities including Cape Town, Kiev, Stockholm, and London.
Hillsong London is one of the fastest growing churches in London – having doubled in size every year for the past four years!
Hillsong London has produced a few live worship projects over the past few years – one of their earliest featured one of their church members and songwriters who went on to be a major pop star… Natasha Bedingfield. Maybe you’ve heard of her?
Some really cool things are going on there and a team from Hillsong London kicked off their first major USA tour last night in Chicago, bringing a bit of what God is doing in London with them.
From the outset of the night they made it clear – “we’re not having a concert, we’re having church.”
Having seen the main Hillsong team from Sydney many, many times before I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Londonites, but was completely blown away by their humility and desire to see people encounter God in worship.
They opened the night with “Your Name High” and launched into a two-hour marathon of some Hillsong classics as well as songs that have originated from Hillsong London.
It was a fantastic night that mixed worship, media and teaching from worship leader Peter Wilson.
I think the thing that stuck out to me the most was that the heart of Hillsong Church, regardless if it’s in Sydney, London, or wherever – remains the same. The same heart and spirit I’ve encountered with the other Hillsong teams was the same from the London team. I think it’s very unique to see a church that’s an international multi-site church carry the same heart, vision, passion and energy. God is really using Hillsong to not only influence the way the church worships, but to also make an impact in the cities and communities where it is ministering.
