tobyMac

by Jenny Bennett 

No one else in Christian music possesses a style that morphs, in a matter of minutes, from rap to rock to pop and back again, quite like tobyMac. Props to his band DiverseCity for making this phenomenon a reality. Three background vocalists, including Nirva Ready who really steals the show in my opinion (you'll know her voice on the record when you hear it), keyboards, guitar and trumpet, bass, drums and even a DJ come together on stage to make the tobyMac live experience an unforgettable one.

“It’s not like this incredible band with all these unique individuals is this thing that Toby masterminded,” says Toby McKeehan regarding the band. “These people came into my life. God really brought these people into my life in different ways: sometimes very miraculous, sometimes very ordinary.” The DVD portion of Alive and Transported, in stores today, includes more than 45 minutes of behind-the-scenes interviews with Toby and his bandmates – a revealing picture of what it’s like to be on tour with such a dynamic group.

The choice to master this latest project as a CD/DVD combo was a smart one. The music alone may not be enough to warrant much critical acclaim, but performances of songs from the last album Portable Sounds, when combined with new songs and the stage presence and live worship element Toby and DiverseCity bring, create a unique offering that will appeal to those looking for a high-energy concert experience. A live tobyMac show provides both wholesome Christian content and the hip-hop element that kids find appealing.

In particular, performances of "Boomin’", "Irene", and my personal dcTalk favorite, "In the Light", highlight the diversity this group brings to Christian music. Also worth noting is an appearance by guest vocalist Mandisa. The nearly thirty-song project (now that’d be a set list worth framing) closes with a four-song encore complete with pyrotechnics.

Alive and Transported is definitely going to make you want to catch tobyMac this summer at a festival near you. They’ll be at Ichthus Festival in Wilmore, Ky. June 13 and BeachFest in Myrtle Beach, SC June 14. More dates.

tobymac.com
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