2011 Concert Survay

[janetplanet]

Artists seen: Josh Gracin, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac, Brandon Heath, The Afters, Skillet, Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Everyday Sunday, Tenth Avenue North, Francesca Battistelli, Jars of Clay, Phil Wickham, Newsboys, Mercy Me, Matt Maher, Sanctus Real, Flatfoot 56, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matthew West, Kutles, David Crowder Band, Sidewalk Prophets, Red, Jonny Diaz, Brian Waver, the Workday Release, Vota, Katinas, Sarah Kelley, Group 1 Crew, Jason Ingram, School of Worship, Switchfoot, Rush of Fools, Brit Nicole, House of Heroes, Stryper, Fireflight, Anthem Lights, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, Gungor, Manic Drive, Chris August, New Kids on the Block and BSB (aka NKOTBSB), Beckah Shea, The Museum, Trip Lee, Lecrea, New from Verona, Blood & Water, Dave Barns, Josh Wilson, Jesus Culture, Tyler Hilton, Curtis Peoples, Ben Glover, MIKESCHAIR, B.Reith, Hilsong, plus several artists I don’t remember, several worship bands, and several Indy artists.

Top 10 shows of the year?

This year it was harder than ever, but here are my top 10 shows of the year….

1. Matthew West “The Story of Your Life” tour (feat. Josh Wilson) - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
   
   This was by far the best show I went to this year.  First of all, the show started with the super talented Josh Wilson.  Man, can that boy play the guitar.  I love his songs SOOOO much too.  Then Matthew West took the stage.  Anytime Matthew West takes the stage he’s a complete riot.  I loved his song about Rancho Cucamonga.  “I wanted to write a song about this city, but nothing rhymes with Cucamonga. Except for maybe cowabunga. Or feed your hunga in Cucamonga. Oh yes, I went there!”  The reason this show was #1 on the list was because of the second half.  Matthew played every single song off his last album “The Story of Your Life.”  He read the story or showed us video of the inspiration for each and every single song.  It was AMAZING!!  Truly the best concert of the year.
   
   
2. Hawk Nelson Acoustic CD Release show - Murrieta, CA
   
   This show was AMAZING!!  It was a free concert put on by Air1 for the “Crazy Love/The Light Sides” CD release.  The guys MEGA toned it down to play this acoustic set for us.  It was just so cool because they played all the new songs, acoustically, and all their old hits, acoustically.  Even though it was toned down, Jason was still Jason, Dan was still San, and Jon was still Jon, so they were still crazy, hehehe.  They kept telling stories about how the songs came to be the entire night.  It was simply awesome.  As a huge Hawk Nelson fan, it was a completely treat and privilege to be able to enjoy all this.  (Just toally remembered Jon using super glue on his finger, Quality/Comfort Inn not being those things, Jon saying “You’re Janet Planet” after I told him there was no such thing as “Polysymphonic,”  and Jason calling me out for knowing all the words, hehe)
   
   
3. Winter Wonder Slam (feat. House of Heroes, Brandon Heath, and tobyMac) - Universal City, CA
   
   As if anything with tobyMac would ever let you down.  First of all, there was an awesome Q&A where I got to get all music nerdy on Toby.  It was awesome; I’m pretty sure Karen had to wipe away drool from my face.  The show itseld was kick butt.  It started with House of Heroes, my first time seeing them live.  I was front row center and Tim totally acknowledged me for singing every single lyric, even got his guitar pick at the end.  Then along came Brandon Heath who was awesome.  It was my first time hearing all the songs from his new album.  The way they did the drums with “Leaving Eden,” dude, totally awesome.  Then, of course, Toby hit the stage and tore the place DOWN!!  He was making fun of me for my dancing, hehe.  Shonlok took the stage at one point and sang “Something In Your Eyes,” that was awesome.  I also LOVED the video played on the screen as they sang “Funky Jesus Music.”  Oh man, I was cracking up!  Then Brandon came out and sang with Toby, at which point I was a puddle on the ground.
   
   
4. Rock & Worship Roadshow (feat. Anthem Lights, The Afters, Lecrae, Matt Maher, TFK, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me) - Ontario, CA
   
   First of all, this was the show where I first saw Anthem Lights live, little did I know the HUGE impact they would have on my life!  The Afters were awesome (DUH!), Lecrae brought the house down, TFK blinded me with their lights (but they rocked hard), Dan did his once act play (I LOVE watching him sing, hehe), and Mercy Me was touching.  Afterwards was great too.  I’ve met Jars a zillion times before (always work with them) but got to FINALLY take a pic with them.  I met Anthem Lights, which seems so surreal because I didn’t know who they were but I felt I needed to meet them.  I look at the pic now and I’m like, “AHHHHH!!  I’m touching the amazing songwriter known as Alan Powell’s back, AHHHHHHH!”  (Funny, the one I vividly remember meeting is Chad, lol).  I had a LONG conversation with The Afters (I LOVE THOSE GUYS!!), and I told TFK that I couldn’t wait for the new FM Static album and snagged a pic, LoL!  It was an awesome lineup, a great show, and an overall amazing night!  (Oh and FINALLY got Brody his chocolates, hehehe!)
   
   
5. Hawk Nelson at that Baptist student conference thingie - Garden Grove, CA
   
   So, at first, the students in the Baptist student conference thingie were so not into the show.  They were just there and we were like, “COME ON!!”  Still, Hawk came out and did the only thing they know how to do, they ROCKED IN!!  Soon enough, the entire crowd was so into them.  This, I felt, was the best set list Hawk had ever done.  I had just come back from my Panama trip so everytime Jason said “crazy” (which was often) I would yell back “love.”  AHAHAHAHAHA!  I rocked out so hard during this show.  In fact, I rocked out so hard that Jon pointed out at the M&G.  “YOU!! YOU!! You were rocking out SOOOO HARD!!!  I saw you!!!” He also said so on Twitter, hehehehehe.
   
   
6. Tear Down These Walls tour (feat Blood & Water, News From Verona, and Manic Drive) - Oceanside, CA and Barstow, CA
   
   This was the first time I saw Manic Drive live in concert, and boy, they DID NOT disappoint.  First Blood & Water performed, and they were real good.  I really enjoyed them.  I totally bought their  album.  News from Verona was alright.  Manic Drive, they were AMAZING!!!  They surely do live up to their name.  I was rocking out and dancing like there was no tomorrow.  They are also super hilarious, teaching us new “Canadian” words and having their little wind men come out.  Their musicality was amazing, let alone their showmanship.  I was totally surprised that they were able to tone it down and have an awesome worship time.  They guys themselves were so nice and super fun.  I just fell in love in love with these guys and I left with the biggest smile on my face.
   
   
7. Spring Hallelujah Jubilee (feat The Afters and Jeremy Camp) - Valencia, CA
   
   You get The Afters, you get Jeremy Camp and you just can’t fail.  I love hearing each of their testimonies and love worshipping with them.  I just had a complete blast with them and always love them.
   
   
8. David Crowder Band - Los Angeles, CA
   
   Their very last show in So Cal Ever.  It was a kick butt farewell.  First John Mark McMillan sang.  Wow, such a deep voice.  Chris Agust came out, made us laugh and sang a few songs.  Then Gungor hit the stage.  Wow!  Just plain WOW!  They were super amazing.  I was looking at them with my jaw dropped.  A beat boxing cello player, COME ON!!!  Then of couse, DC*B came and sang all the songs we completely love.  The highlight was when everyone came out to sing “How He Loves.”  Yes, that meant that David Crowder AND John Mark McMillan were singing this song together.  AMAZING!!!
   
9. Come to the Well Tour (feat The Afters, Sanctus Real, and Casting Crowns)  - Corona, CA and Universal City, CA (although, the Corona one was somehow a zillion times more amazing)
   
   I don’t know what it was, but from the moment that Josh sang “Ocean Wide” until the last note of everyone singing “Until the Whole World Hears,” man, I was in tears.  God was there speaking through each and every single one of their songs.  It was just such a powerful show, it really was.
   
   
10. Fall Hallelujah Jubilee (feat Brandon Heath) - Valencia, CA
    This show was crazy, definitely the craziest Brandon show ever.  He couldn’t find his capo so he did a crazy dance, then his guitar string broke so young teenage boys were fighting over said broken string, then Josh McDonals came out and gave Brandon his guitar.  We also got songs he rarely plays anymore because he “liked us.”  LoL!  Even when we chatted with him afterwards he said it was a crazy show. 

Honorary Mentions:

Acoustic Jars of Clay Performance at Saddleback Church (feat Dave Barnes and some other dude who’s name I forgot but was really good) - Saddleback Ranch, CA

So, the first dude whose’ name I forgot was a real good singer.  He was also very entertaining.  Darn, I need to get his name.  Then Dave Barnes came out.  It was my first time seeing him live, and man, he us rolling in laughter.  Seeing Jar’s acoustic was a real treat.  Dan was playing some percussion stuff, so unfortunately that meant no crazy theatrics for him, but it was worth it.  We got to hear songs they rarely play live anymore, and awesome acoustic renditions of our all time faves.

Flatfoot 56 show at the Slidebar in Fullerton, CA

Yeah, I got hit in the head with a guitar, Danny left with a huge bloody gash on his hand, and people were crowd surfing to Amazing Grace.  Signs of a kick butt awesome show!

Total number of shows? I counted 49. Remember, I lost a whole month worth of concerts due to my mission trip.

First show of the year? STRYPER!!!!  This was super cool because CHRIS JERICHO came out and sang with the band, making his childhood dream of being in Stryper come true.  It was AWESOME!!!

Last show of the year? Josh Gracin in Thousand Oaks

Most surprising show?  The Matt Maher show at the Grove in Anaheim.  I decided to go super last minute, and only went because I found out Jason Ingram was going to be there.  But dude, it was AWESOME!!  It was so different, so unique, yet insightful, inspiring, and intriguing; very thought provoking.  I loved it!

Most disappointing?  Honestly, Winter Jam.  It wasn’t until Matthew West came out that I got some energy in me.

Farthest traveled? Monterey (yeah, I was a whimp this yeat)

States attended shows in? I stayed put this year in Cali

Venue most visited?  Why, this year I do believe it was Angels’ stadium.  Not complaining there, hehe.

Worst injury?  No contest, Jeremy Camp “We Cry Out Tour” in Corona.  During “I’m Alive” I was jumping up and down dancing….and then I ended up on the floor.  Mind you, I was front row center, so there was Jeremy Camp, holding his guitar, starring at me with his jaw dropped.  Afterwards I was literally ROTFL!  Everyone came up to me and asked if I was OK and I said yes and proceeded to laugh at the fact that I, JP, just totally fell at my fave singer’s show.  My ankle just folded in the jumping and dancing, but it was alright after I sat it out for a while.

Most embarrassing moment? I am NOT, repeat, NOT, under any circumstances, posting in public my most embarrassing concert moment of the year.  (Yes, it was the Mr. Moody/Car/Money incident.  Those who know KNOW what I’m talking about)

Most expensive ticket? I think it was my Winter Wonder Slam VIP ticket.  It was worth it, was front row center AND got an awesome Q&A where I got to ask tobyMac sound nerd questions.

Band seen the most?  This is crazy!!  There was a tie.  Jeremy Camp was one (no surprise there, winner of this many times before) but tied with him was THE AFTERS!!!  Dude, the band I normally either have to travel super far to see, have to beg to come to Cali, and cry because I don’t see enough of, I saw them SIX times this year.  That is AWESOME!!!!  (It could have been 7 if I didn’t have to load out for one of their performances).

Best new discovery? ANTHEM LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh my, how they changed my life this year.  Also, I really liked Gungor, The Museum, Beckah Shae, Blood & Water, and Chris August (when he’s not, well, you know, hehehe).

Bands seen this year that also broke up this year? What’s up with Stellar Kart?  This year both Jordan and Brian left to focus on their families.  Now THAT ONE broke my heart.  Adam is still continuing SK with Nick (we’ll see how long he stays after his baby is born) and their roadie Jeremy is now their drummer.  I love SK SOOOOO much.  I really hope Adam keeps at it.

Of course, we can't forget The David Crowder Band.  I was privileged to be able to attend their farewell tour and get to meet them.  It was a REALLY good concert.

Friends made at shows? JODI!!!! And Alex.  Hehehe!  They were the 2 most awesome new friends I met.  Also Allie.  And Devin and I had met before but we became cool friends this year.

Band members met? Josh Gracin, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac, Brandon Heath, The Afters, Skillet, Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Everyday Sunday, Tenth Avenue North, Francesca Battistelli, Jars of Clay, Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Flatfoot 56, TFK, Matthew West, Kutles, David Crowder Band, Sidewalk Prophets, Jonny Diaz, Brian Waver, the Workday Release, Vota, Group 1 Crew, School of Worship, Rush of Fools, Brit Nicole, House of Heroes, Stryper (kinda), Anthem Lights, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, Manic Drive, Chris August, New Kids on the Block and BSB (aka NKOTBSB), Beckah Shea, The Museum, New from Verona, Blood & Water, Josh Wilson, MIKESCHAIR

Best souvenir from a show?  My Hawk Nelson purple & green scarf, Tim’s (from HOH) guitar pick, and my autographed Hawk Nelson picture of them holding the luggage.

Longest time in line?  For Winter Jam….in the rain.

Bands seen from the barricade/front row: I was front row for Winter Wonder Slam, Jeremy Camp, Rock & Worship, Flatfoot 56, Hallelujah Jubilee (both), Gracefest, all FOUR Harvests, Phil Wickham, and then, of course, I was backstage for lots.

Biggest crowd? With the exception of Festivals, Rock & Worship sold out that giant arena.

Shows you wanted to see but didn't? Spring Celebration, I swear, everyone went but me  :’(  Also Joshua Fest, The Story Tour, and the Jeremy/Francesca tour.  Now seriously, WHY did the tour with my fave male vocalist AND my fave female vocalist come nowhere near me?  SOOOO not cool!

Any drunk encounters? Drunk people at Josh Gracin…but that’s always expected

Top 10 best 2011 concert moments:

I mentioned a lot already.  Too many to choose from, here are some highlights

1. I was moving a box of merch and then heard someone yell “JANET PLANET!!!”  I turned around, dropped the box, and ran towards Josh Havens to embrace in a HUGE hug, then we started yapping away.  Hehehehe!
2. Seeing my dad get all happy when Francesca Battistelli sang “Beautiful Beautiful.”
3. It was super cold, so Duncan from the Newsboys and I were trying to get warm from the stage heater.  Hehe, that was fun.
4. Worshipping in the spotlight tower during tobyMac
5. Seeing Rush of Fools after 2 years.  It was great to chatting and seeing them again, especially hearing “Com Find Me” live, but the best part was all the hugs I got and chatting with them about Purple fermata.  First time doing so, so that was AWESOME!
6. Sitting down and having a serious convo with Shawn, Michael interrupts, and next thing I know Shawn is on the back of another band member and they are running around the venue.
7. Josh Gracing winking and pointing at me from the stage.
8. Matthew West coming up to me and saying, “HEY!! Nice to see you again” and shaking my hand.  How did even remember me?
9. Toby looking at me, shaking his head and laughing.  It was just so funny, lol
10. Celest: Is that Jeremy Camp
    Me: No! *guy turns around*  Oh dude, it’s Chris Tomlin
    *Chris turns around and waves*

Honorable mentions:

Going out to get cat food and ending up at a Phil Wickham show.  It was truly amazing worship.
Talking after Kutless on-stage.
Josh Havens “calling security.”  Then Dan saying, “Hey, I haven’t seen you in so long, how have you been?”  Then Matt saying, “JP, nice to see you!!” and hugging me.  I informd him how I’d seen the other guys earlier and him going, “Really?  Where have I been?”  LoL!

Talking baseball with Jonny Diaz…and he being Devon’s biggest fan, hehehe.
Seeing my fave songwriter Jason Ingram onstage singing

Top 5 worst 2011 concert moments:

1. Feeling sick at Winter Jam.  I was getting a headache.  Then Matthew West came out and saved the night, hehe
2. The “rain” at SWC and having to constantly wipe it off the stage.
3. Feeling so sick that I pretty much fell asleep sitting up a show. (Show was really good though, I just felt that sick)
4. Being pushed aside. 
5. Mr. Moody!  It was bad because of how much I liked him.  He did redeem himself though, but at the moment it was bad.

Shows you WANT to see in 2012: The Anthem Lights/Newsboys show. WOOOOO!!  I am SOOOO excited to see Anthem Lights now that I’m a HUGE fan.  Manic Drive needs to get their butt down here again so I can see them.  Oh, and I totally need to see Me In Motion and Addison Road.