TobyMac’s Latest Tour Shines Bright In Dallas
TobyMac Tour Shines Bright in the Big D
Hands down, my best birthday present ever was getting to see TobyMac in concert…and getting to meet him.
I’m a huge fan and the tour for his latest album, the Grammy-nominated, “This Is Not A Test,” was already on my radar. I could hardly contain my excitement when I found out that my husband’s birthday surprise included a meet-and-greet with the artist himself.
Backstage With TobyMac
Going backstage pre-concert was a thrill that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I wasn’t the only one on cloud 9. My husband and I were standing in the meet-and-greet line behind a dad and his two young daughters. I asked one of them which song off the album was her favorite and she said, “All of them!”
Toby was gracious to everyone and accommodating of each selfie request. When it was my turn, I got the prized photo above, plus Toby wished me a “Happy Birthday.”
Sweet!
The Verizon Theater in Dallas was packed with concert goers of all ages and the excitement was contagious.
The lineup included some impressive talent, namely, Colton Dixon, Hollyn, and Britt Nicole.
Some brief words about these other artists:
Hollyn was amazing and I love her musical collaborations with Toby. She has a powerful voice and I have no doubt she’ll be someone to watch in the world of Christian music.
You may remember Colton Dixon as a former American Idol finalist. His driving rhythms had the crowd rocking from the first few seats all the way up to the rafters. I could actually feel his music in my chest.
I’ve seen him in interviews. He’s a sweet guy with a passion for sharing the message of Christ through his God-honoring lyrics. I’m grateful there are artists like Colton whose music appeals to a whole new generation of fans who are searching for meaning in a reckless world.
Britt Nicole was a delight. She has more energy than any female recording artist I’ve ever seen on stage. Girl’s got some moves! A highlight was when she walked down into the audience and took selfies with young kids during her songs.
Toby Mac-netizes The Crowd With Unforgettable Hooks and a Dynamic Stage Presence
There was a short curtain glitch before TobyMac and DiverseCity came on. Once the curtain was righted, the crowd erupted in a loud roar as my new friend Toby (emphasis mine) came out on stage waving a huge white banner singing, “Til The Day I Die.”
You could safely say that every song he sang received a standing ovation from start to finish. We didn’t sit down once 🙂
I love his new album and, of course, I have my favorite songs already. He’s hit it out of the park again with “This Is Not a Test” – electrifying, heart-pumping rhythms that give you the irresistible urge to jump up and dance like no one’s watching.
Here are some thoughts on my faves:
Backseat Driver (Feat. Hollyn & Tru) – First off, let me mention, if you didn’t already know, Tru is Toby’s son. The title of this song and the catchy lyrics? Well, pure genius. Aren’t we all backseat drivers to God’s direction at one time or another? We want things our way, otherwise, we want God out of the way. This song emphasizes that our desire should be to let God be God and give control to Him.
Check out this official lyric video for the song, BackSeat Driver.
Aren’t We All Control Freaks At Times?
How many of us want to take over, take the wheel, take God out of the circumstances of our lives? In our moments of self-absorption, we sometimes think that we are actually in control. This is a song about surrendering everything to God and resting in the knowledge that He knows what’s best for us.
Lights Shine Bright (Feat. Hollyn) – Hollyn’s soulful vocals do not disappoint on this song. It begins with a whisper then builds to the unforgettable refrain.
Feel It (Feat. Mr. Talkbox) – this is another favorite. Like most of Toby’s songs, this is a high energy tune with empowering lyrics that embrace the spirit of our faith – that no matter what, Christ is all we need.
Move (Keep Walkin’)– If unanswered prayers have you feeling down, this song serves as a battle cry and important reminder to keep pushing forward because we have the promise of eternal victory through Christ. The lyrics are a battle cry really, with precise rhythms like what you might expect of soldiers marching into battle.
Undeniable – The lyrics to Undeniable are beautiful. Here’s a sample:
You’re the bright and morning star,
but still You speak to my heart.
Undeniable, You are,
You are.
God is on His throne above, Lord of all, and yet He speaks to our hearts and knows our names. His signature is on everything. It’s like a prayer. I love the addition of the youth choir singing at the end of this song.
TobyMac Just Keeps Getting Better and Better
The Hits Deep Tour is scheduled to begin in early February. You can find his latest tour dates on his website, http://tobymac.com/announcing-hits-deep-tour-2016/
God bless!
