With a pair of great concerts in the rear view mirror, one highly-anticipated show awaits me tomorrow: Derek Webb’s “Black Eye Tour” is coming to Orlando!
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here’s a quick look back at highlights from 1) the U2/Muse show in Tampa and 2) the David Bazan show here in Orlando.
U2 and Muse

U2's "The Claw"
Friday, October 9th @ Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Somewhere around 70,000 people were in attendance!
In many ways, the whole thing was larger than life. Besides the record-breaking attendance, U2’s MASSIVE “Claw” enclosed their stage. Recently, I found out that this and other big-time elements contributed to the $1.5 million overhead cost of the tour!
Just being in a stadium where U2 was playing their songs made me happy to be there. They’ve been such an innovative force for years, so it was amazing to get to see and hear them. However, my extremely high expectations were not completely met. I must admit that I did hope for a surreal, perspective-shifting event…the kind of concert that really inspires you to want to make a mark… It fell short of that, and to quote a couple of friends at the show, “I was underwhelmed.”
I have to mention that Muse gave the superstar headliners a run for their money! Excellent vocals, skillful playing, great presentation. Left me wanting to hear more.
David Bazan

David Bazan & Company
Tuesday, October 13th @ The Social in Orlando. To cut my reaction into a few words, it was an inspiring and thought-provoking performance that did not at all disappoint.
Bazan sang songs mostly from his latest album, “Curse Your Branches”. This guy really knows how to say things well. The metaphors are fresh. And he also has a knack for saying very difficult things—asking difficult questions—very well. Unfortunately, his doubts have lately led him to lose his faith in God. And in that journey, he’s asked the toughest questions of all.
Here’s a snippet of Bazan’s falling out with God from his song, “Hard To Be”:
wait just a minute
you expect me to believe
that all this misbehaving
grew from one enchanted tree
and helpless to fight it
we should all be satisfied
with this magical explanation
for why the living die
and why it’s hard to be
hard to be, hard to be
a decent human being
As a person with deep faith in Jesus Christ, I think these kinds of questions can be fruitful in growing and strengthening one’s faith, as hard as they are to face. I also think it’s vital to remember that faith, while it is often supported by facts, doesn’t just come in the form of a clear answer to these questions.
Tomorrow night, the line-up of good music and good songwriting continues with one of my most prominent musical/lyrical influences, Derek Webb. He’s another great “question-asker”, using his expressions to—among other things—challenge the church to truthfully live out God’s call to further His kingdom.
I’ll keep ya posted.







