Music in the USA

I've never been much of a concert going person, but I decided to take the advice of Dave Walz and see who I could see while over here, and I'm very glad I did. Perhaps my favourite artist (for his message and his music) is Derek Webb, and on March 28 I made the 50km trip up the road to see him perform with just his 12 string guitar to a bunch of Southwest Baptist University (SBU) students. I paid $5 for the privilege, and would gladly pay at least 5 times the amount for a repeat performance. He's playing in Tennessee just before I leave, this time with his wife (Sandra McCracken, a fellow artist) and full band, so I'm considering a follow up visit!

Derek Webb
Rating: 13/10 (3 points extra credit)
Cost: $5
What I'd pay to go again: $35

Next up the more widely known Switchfoot came to the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, and while they're not among my favourite artists I thought I might as well go along and have a look for $10, especially since they were in town. It was much more of a rock concert, very showy, lots of lights, rocking, and volume. Too much volume in my opinion, I really appreciate some of the things they do with their music, but in that sort of concert atmosphere it seems like everything's drowned out or molded into one big mess. It also irked me to see the fans jumping up and down and striving to touch the lead singer, and he was playing to it as well. There's no denying they have a bit of talent though.

Switchfoot
Rating: 6/10
Cost: $10
What I'd pay to go again: I wouldn't

Switchfoot in action. At least their lighting effects were cool.

Last night I heard that a guy named Randall Goodgame was coming to the Plaster Student Union (PSU) theatre, which is on Campus - a mere 90 second jog from my room. Though I'd never heard of him, I was told he was a member of the Square Peg Alliance, whose members include Derek Webb and Andrew Peterson, and I was also told he'd created some music with the latter, so I thought I might as well go along. I woke up a little late so I missed most of his singing, but I did hear him preach a bit and sing two really nice songs. His wife was there and she sang with him. He seemed like a really nice humble guy, and I'm going to find some of his CD's so I can hear more about what he has to say.

Randall Goodgame
Rating: 10/10
Cost: Free
What I'd pay to go again: $20

This Thursday Andrew Peterson is playing about 90 minutes drive away from here, and while I'd love to go and see him play I don't think I'll be able to find a ride at this stage. You never know.