Worship and Rock

I've kind of stolen my title from a current tour, but the words aptly describe the Chasen and Sixteen Cities concert this past weekend. Both of these bands began as worship ensembles, but they sure can rock too!

Sixteen Cities, anticipating the release of their first full length CD on Centricity, hails from Portland, Oregon. The group began playing together back in their high school days (which aren't too long ago!) when they led worship events for teens at their school. Their hearts for music and ministry are rooted in worship, and the guys enjoy teaching kids how to praise our God.

The band opened their set with "Undivided," an energetic song that allowed frontman Josiah Warkening to work the crowd and draw them in to their music. His humble and engaging personality is the same on stage and off.

Warkening introduced the moving "Come As You Are" by sharing with the audience, "In our brokenness we can still come to God. He wants to heal your broken heart." "Moonlight Serenade," an upbeat, harmony-filled song followed, and they closed out their set with their first radio single, "Sing Along." This catchy tune inspires praise of God for His amazing creation. And additionally amazing, this song has received substantial airplay in Hollister stores! God shows up in such unusual places!

Sixteen Cities offered a tasty appetizer for the main course, Chasen. The South Carolina foursome took to the stage and was off and running. Opening with "Castaway," a track from their newest CD, That Was Then This Is Now, the band shared about second chances. Next was the familiar guitar strum that introduces "Crazy Beautiful," and the band played through their hot radio hit from their first CD, Stars Are Meant to Shine.

Chasen Callahan, who started as a worship pastor at his home church (a position he maintains today), had many encouraging words for the audience. He introduced "If It Comes Down" by reminding the audience that all denominations fade away and "we are one body here tonight."

About midway through their show, the band unplugged and pulled drummer Aaron Lord out from behind his kit for a beautiful acoustic set. I loved their version of "Drown," which was filled with tight harmonies from Evan Silver and Jared Barber, while Lord provided some simple percussion accompaniment. This song has never sounded better!

Callahan took some time to share with the crowd. "What we do we do because of Jesus. We hope you take pictures and get autographs and buy our merch, but we want you to know for sure the Jesus that we serve. We are missionaries," he continued, "and God has called us to music ministry."

The crowd instantly recognized the opening notes of " On and On," Chasen's current radio hit which stayed atop the charts in the number one spots for several weeks. "Your Name" followed and we were drawn into a time of praise as we sang, "It's all about you/it's not about me."

The band plugged back in for their remaining songs, which included "History Tonight," "Airplanes," and "Bullet." They finished up with "Eyes of a Rescue," during which Callahan came down in the crowd and fed off their energy.

Chasen Callahan has really grown into his role as frontman for the band bearing his name. He engages the crowd, tells stories, shares his heart, and gets everyone involved. The quartet is fresh off a tour with big names like Jeremy Camp and The Afters, and they head out again next week with Kutless.

Keep an eye on these bands. Both were coincidentally featured in the April edition of CCM Magazine, the online version of the former industry publication. (www.ccmmagazine.com)