Concert Review: TobyMac (First Horizon Coliseum)

TobyMac
BY MARK DOLEJS

In 2012, eleven years after his solo career began, TobyMac started his first Hits Deep Tour. The tour has continued each year ever since, with the latest stop being in Greensboro on Saturday night at First Horizon Coliseum.

TobyMac
Born Kevin Michael McKeehan, he performs with the name TobyMac and is also known as Toby McKeehan. McKeehan got his start in 1987 and formed the band DC Talk with fellow Liberty Unive rsity students Kevin Max and Michael Tate.

TobyMac
The Hits Deep Tour highlights TobyMac and features several other artists, each performing some of their most popular songs. On this night, McKeehan shared 29 songs with a very appreciative audience.

TobyMac
McKeehan started the night out strong with “Lights Shine Bright,” followed by three songs off his album The Elements, “Hello Future,” "Everything,” and “I Just Need You.”

DJ Maj
The stage show was incredible, with a huge ensemble of singers and musicians on guitars, horns, keyboards, drums and percussion. Near the end of the show DJ Maj was featured and pulled the crowd in right away with a call-and-response. This led into a song released last year called “Nothin’ Sweeter.”

McKeehan’s next album is due to be released in March. Several singles from the album were played during the night, including “God Did It” and “a lil Church.”

TobyMac
I’m an old school DC Talk fan, so I totally rocked along and sang from my seat when McKeehan performed “Jesus Freak.” This song debuted in 1995 on DC Talk’s album by the same name.

TobyMac
Before McKeehan began the song “Love Broke Through,” he said, “this is the most important song I’ve ever written.” He further explained that it is about the day that God’s love came and found him.

He followed this song with “Cornerstone.” He introduced the song as one that came to him while his family was in a field in Franklin, TN, for his firstborn son’s funeral. Truett McKeehan died at the age of 21 of an accidental overdose.

TobyMac
Towards the end of the night they did my favorite song, “Til the Day I Die.” The crowd stayed on their feet and rocked along singing the chorus as McKeehan waved a giant white flag emblazoned with a cross and the words Til the Day I Die.

Ryan Stevenson
Opening the night was Ryan Stevenson, who played several of his hits, but also played a new song called “Preach,” which just premiered two days before the show.

Crowder
Next up was David Crowder with his band, Crowder. I’ve seen Crowder many times live and this set was one of the best. One of things that I like about Crowder is that he likes to mix traditional hymns into his shows. In addition to his own hits, he shared “Come as You Are” just before doing “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains).”

Terrian
Following Crowder was Terrian (Terrian Bass Woods), who rocked the stage with her silky smooth beautiful vocals on “No Body,” “In The Arms,” and several other songs.

CAIN
Last up before TobyMac was the family power group CAIN. Siblings Taylor, Madison and Logan Cain are in constant colorful motion throughout their set. Starting with “Yes He Can,” “The Commission” and “Made for Heaven,” the crowd went nuts keeping a similar enthusiasm as they moved and sang along.

Cain also did a cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together,” but used their own original lyrics. I didn’t expect this song, but it was a pleasant surprise and musically stayed true to the song, a very cool song.

All in all, a fantastic night of music that moved really smoothly with no delays between bands, and great music all night with hit after hit.

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MARK DOLEJS

Photography is an avenue that Mark Dolejs uses to learn about the people and places that cross his path. After more than 30 years as a photojournalist, Mark enjoys concert, macro, and roadside photography. Follow Mark on Instagram at @solidrockpix.

Read Mark's posts here.