I got to go see some live music the other night for the first time in a long time. When my wife heard that Mercy Me was going to be at the Saint Augustine Amphitheater, she immediately got tickets for us and a couple extra for my daughter and her husband.
I’ve been to the amphitheater for a couple of high school graduations, but never for a concert. It’s a really nice outdoor yet covered venue. The website says it seats just under five thousand. We had seats in row X, so I guess that would be twenty-four rows back, not including the many seats on the floor in front of the stage. The distance is not a problem since everything is also projected on an enormous screen in back of the bands.
We arrived when the doors opened after pizza just up the road at Mellow Mushroom. Official parking was sold out in advance, but a shuttle picked us up from the free parking offered at Anastasia State Park. The long lines made me wonder just how early people arrived to get in.
Security was tight. They checked bags and waved wands over us as we held the contents of our pockets in our hands. A very nice woman scanned the tickets on our phone, and a friendly usher took us to our seats.
As I watched others arrive, I learned why so many came so early. I’ll bet half of the crowd bought supper at the concession stands when they arrived. I watched people carry in all kinds of sandwiches, nachos, pizza, popcorn, and beverages. One could easily spend as much on food as for tickets. (A plastic cup of water was $4.) We were supposed to return them for reuse, but just between you and me, we brought them home with us.
Once we sat down, I watched as merchandise advertisements flashed across the enormous screen. The two warm up acts were Andrew Ripp and Crowder, whose songs we hear on Christian radio every day. All three of the performing groups had t-shirts, hoodies, CDs (yes, they still sell CDs), drink bottles, books, and other items for sale. Again, I could easily spend as much for merch as I did for a ticket. A seven-day cruise with the featured group was advertised for January. The bands also supported Children International, so concert attenders could sign up to sponsor a child. The business end of the contemporary Christian music industry is alive and well.
Four sound and light technicians ran an amazing control board. Lighting effects were coordinated with each musical number. Lyrics were displayed in perfect sync with the singers. Stage crew supplied the right guitars for various songs. It takes many people to put on a concert like this!
I enjoyed all the performers. Everyone on stage was so talented, bringing songs they had no doubt done many, many times before. I think they looked like they all enjoyed their work, even though they had no doubt done these songs many, many times before.
I’m still searching my memory to remember the last concert I went to. As I do, I remember some from the past.
- Chicago (twice, once with the Beach Boys)
- Maynard Ferguson (many times going back to high school)
- Steven Curtis Chapman with the Afters and Geoff Moore
- Phil Wickham (before he made it big)
- Relient K several times with my daughters
- Russ Taff
- Amy Grant
- Hillsong
I’m sure there are more. The longer I think, the more I remember. Lol.
Having performed in front of people, I appreciate the talent and hard work of these artists. Having written this, I’m determined to pay more attention to and go see musical talent that performs near me.
Waite for it... 