Author: Wendy Davies
Not often does a band with as much world status as Delirious? play at a small theatre in the south of England, but Delirious? are no ordinary band. Their enormous, and loyal, fan base have made them the most successful Christian rock band in the world today. Although the band have been performing together for 12 years now, Martin Smith still looks as youthful as ever, jumping about the stage and thrusting his microphone stand in the air to point to the heavens.
Their current World Service Tour is the first time the band have been 'on the road' in Britain for 3 years, and we greeted them with open arms. In return we were given a 2 hour set which, at times, threatened to blow the roof off the small, but packed, theatre. The first thumping beats of 'Grace Like A River' and 'Rain Down' got the crowd sitting in the balconies up on their feet and us, in the standing area, jumping like kangaroos on pogo sticks. After some much needed exercise, the pace slowed and Martin left his microphone in order to perform a heartfelt and highly emotional song entitled 'Mountains High', dedicated to a close friend who had recently passed away. This was the start of a slowing-down in proceedings, as we were then treated to an intimate acoustic set where the band came and sat at the front of the stage with minimal instruments. This intimacy with the crowd is what makes Delirious? unlike any other world-famous performers, as many become so deluded with their own fame that they don't even have the decency to look at their fans when performing.
After a few songs the speakers were cranked up to full volume again, as Martin told us they were going to play some 'oldies but goodies'. Although I am relatively new on the Delirious? appreciation scene, the crowd participation of repeating lyrics meant I was soon chanting along with the rest. As well as their raw energy and enthusiasm, the band's witty banter between songs showed they have still retained their personalities, giving us their thoughts on their time away from Britain, the youthfulness of their roadie and how cool their bass player, Jon, looked.
Towards the end of the set, the crowd requested a song that Martin claimed, could only be performed whilst wearing a hat. They continued to perform it nevertheless, but halfway through a Jester's hat was thrown onstage and Martin proceeded to thrust it onto his head and throw himself about onstage like a madman. This had the whole crowd doubled over in hysterics, and an encore was demanded unanimously.
The lyric I will always remember from that night is: 'Revival, that's what we're calling this place'. A truer word has never been said.
Not often does a band with as much world status as Delirious? play at a small theatre in the south of England, but Delirious? are no ordinary band. Their enormous, and loyal, fan base have made them the most successful Christian rock band in the world today. Although the band have been performing together for 12 years now, Martin Smith still looks as youthful as ever, jumping about the stage and thrusting his microphone stand in the air to point to the heavens.
Their current World Service Tour is the first time the band have been 'on the road' in Britain for 3 years, and we greeted them with open arms. In return we were given a 2 hour set which, at times, threatened to blow the roof off the small, but packed, theatre. The first thumping beats of 'Grace Like A River' and 'Rain Down' got the crowd sitting in the balconies up on their feet and us, in the standing area, jumping like kangaroos on pogo sticks. After some much needed exercise, the pace slowed and Martin left his microphone in order to perform a heartfelt and highly emotional song entitled 'Mountains High', dedicated to a close friend who had recently passed away. This was the start of a slowing-down in proceedings, as we were then treated to an intimate acoustic set where the band came and sat at the front of the stage with minimal instruments. This intimacy with the crowd is what makes Delirious? unlike any other world-famous performers, as many become so deluded with their own fame that they don't even have the decency to look at their fans when performing.
After a few songs the speakers were cranked up to full volume again, as Martin told us they were going to play some 'oldies but goodies'. Although I am relatively new on the Delirious? appreciation scene, the crowd participation of repeating lyrics meant I was soon chanting along with the rest. As well as their raw energy and enthusiasm, the band's witty banter between songs showed they have still retained their personalities, giving us their thoughts on their time away from Britain, the youthfulness of their roadie and how cool their bass player, Jon, looked.
Towards the end of the set, the crowd requested a song that Martin claimed, could only be performed whilst wearing a hat. They continued to perform it nevertheless, but halfway through a Jester's hat was thrown onstage and Martin proceeded to thrust it onto his head and throw himself about onstage like a madman. This had the whole crowd doubled over in hysterics, and an encore was demanded unanimously.
The lyric I will always remember from that night is: 'Revival, that's what we're calling this place'. A truer word has never been said.
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