Concert fills Vines
Newsboys lead vocalist Michael Tait visits alma mater, performs for CFAW
Liberty alumnus and Christian singer Michael Tait stepped onto the stage in the Vines Center Saturday, April 11 no longer a student. But Tait was not just visiting for mere pleasure, Tait had come to perform and to preach the message of Jesus Christ.
Musicians — Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Finding Favour and John Tibbs brought the “We believe … God’s Not Dead Tour” to Liberty April 11 at the Vines Center. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
Tait was accompanied by his band, the Newsboys, as Liberty was one of many stops on their “We Believe … God’s Not Dead Tour.”
According to Student Activities (SA), around 5,700 people filled the Vines Center for the concert.
The Newsboys were preceded by three different acts. John Tibbs, an up-and-coming artist, took the stage first, followed by the band Finding Favour and Audio Adrenaline.
The crowd cheered loudly when the Newsboys took the stage. They started their set with the song “Restart,” which is the title track of their newest album.
After the Newsboys’ second song, lead singer Tait had to briefly leave the stage to fix his ear monitor. The three remaining band members filled the time with a few jokes and a little bit of musical improvisation while the crowd waited.
“I’m back in business,” Tait said when he returned on stage.
Tait quickly made it known to the crowd that he attended Liberty for college during the 1980s, and it changed his life.
College for a Weekend (CFAW) visitor Ariana Bacon said the concert was an added bonus to her weekend experience at Liberty. Earlier in the day, Bacon saw Tait walking around campus and approached him.
“I took a selfie with Michael Tait,” Bacon said. “It was awesome. He was walking down to the dining hall, and I was like, ‘Hey, can I have a selfie with you?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’”
CFAW contributed to the diverse demographic of ages at the concert as well as the Newsboys family-oriented fan base, according to concert worker Scott Shields.
“As far as the demographic of the crowd, the average age is a little higher than some of our other concerts,” Shields said. “There were a lot of parents and a lot of
younger kids.”
Shields said this demographic is part of what made this concert different from others SA hosted this year.
“What made this concert unique is the fact that it catered to a different crowd than a lot of the other concerts,” Shields said. “A lot of the other (concerts) cater more toward just students. This kind of hits a bigger group of people.”
From his view at one of the Vines Center entrances, Shields said he thought people were enjoying the concert.
“It seem(ed) like people (were) having a blast,” Shields said. “You (didn’t) really see a lot of people up walking around. People seem(ed) like they (were) staying in their seats and (were) focused on the show.”
In addition to hearing the bands play, concert attendees had the opportunity to partner with Food for the Hungry, an organization that connects people with children in need around the world. For $35 a month, attendees could start sponsoring a child.
The money provides school supplies, clothing and food for children who normally would not have access to those things, according to Dustin Daniels, a band member for
Finding Favour.
Finding Favour is a ministry partner with Food for the Hungry, and booths are set up at each concert on the “We Believe God’s Not Dead Tour” to give people the chance to
sponsor a child.
To find more information about the tour, visit newsboys.com/tour.
Fraser is a feature reporter.