"We were free and made alive"

The first official day of Alive proved to me that this week is going to blow me away. This year seems like there's more going on and more excitement than in recent years, and it's great. The Amphitheater Stage, the Woods Stage, the Hilltop, Valley, and vending tents, the inflatables, the Sports zone, the food--it's all together, which means everyone is together, which makes for an exciting place to be. I can only hope you reading this were able to be a part of it.

I started out my day watching the first three acts from the New Artist Talent Search, who were all really, really good. They were all unique in their own styles and each really brought the Woods Stage to life. I later proceeded to check out some of the Amphitheater stage bands, Nitengale and Seabird, and quickly became a fan of both. It was almost hard to see everything going on in the afternoon because so much is happening, but I consider that a good problem to have. I found myself taking in all kinds of music and events for the rest of the day.

I was especially looking forward to the Amphitheater artists tonight. My personal highlight of the entire day was Phil Wickham's set. This guy is talented. (If you haven't heard his music, I suggest you look him up.) As my friend put it, his music is "that kind of music that just makes you feel better." I also heard multiple people suggest that he might be their true love. But on a more serious note, Phil played a song that brought along one of those moments where it all comes back into perspective as to what this festival is about. The chorus goes like this:

"The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the Fathers broken heart
tears were filling heaven's eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died
When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, The day that true love died"

...Goosebumps. The rest of the night's music was just as great. I love watching people dance to Salvador, I wish I was as cool as Red, and David Crowder Band is incredible every time they play. It all made for a pretty great night. And as the evening began to wind down, I caught a few minutes of Phil Joel at the always-fun Late Night Cafe before I realized that I was falling asleep.

Just for fun, here are a few random thoughts that I had throughout the day.

11:30am: Sestor is really making me want to break out some dance moves, but I'm alone and people are watching.

1:34pm: Another thing that I love about Alive is seeing so many random people from my life that I only ever see at Alive. Already so many, and it's only Wednesday afternoon.

2:08pm: I'll probably never know how some people (example: Inhale Exhale) are able to scream that much for that long and not lose their voice. I consider it a superpower.

3:38pm: NEO Jumpers would be fun to have in my backyard for my birthday, even if I am turning 23.

4:10pm: Mile7 makes me really want to learn the violin.

6:05pm: I would hurt myself pretty badly if I tried to spin my guitar like that.

7:25pm: I like Parachute Band a lot.

7:47pm: Phil Joel doesn't age at all... How does he do it?

10:40pm: I've seen David Crowder Band play this song seemilngly hundreds of times, and it never gets old. That is why I love them.


I can't believe we still have three more days of this! Keep checking back for more updates throughout the weekend.