For King and Country: What Are We Waiting For Tour with Dante Bowe – Show Review – Veterans Memorial Coliseum – May 12, 2022 – Portland, Oregon

 

The stage was set with a catwalk of sorts jetting out into the crowd.  2021 GMA Dove Award winner for “Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year” for “Joyful,” Dante Bowe opened the night. While his set was short, it was full of energy and gratitude.  Releasing “The Healing” with “Blanca” as a single this spring, this newcomer grabbed the crowd with his perfect voice, setting the tone for this memorable and inspirational night.  His departure from the stage was abrupt, only performing a few songs, but left us all wanting a little bit more.

Between sets, brothers Joel and Luke of For King and Country did something I’d not seen before.  They showed a behind the scenes video of the following:

  • How happy they were to be here
  • What it is really like to be on tour
  • Load in and stage set up 
  • An impromptu interview with their people/crew…from manager to sound person to merch staff to driver
  • A visual description of their merchandise (which was such a good idea)
  • What to do and not to do when you see their tour bus on the road

The video was in good fun, done with a lighthearted feel, with a humbleness rarely seen by bands of this stature.

Descending from the sky on individual platforms, Australian adult contemporary Christian duo, For King and Country brought energy, beautiful music, inspiration, and hope to the fans at the Memorial Coliseum last night. Through the message of God, they provided a stellar show from start to finish.  Entertaining in sound, stage presence, and lighting, the brothers invoked the crowd participation to a high level with fans on their feet dancing, jumping, and praising the God in unison.

Playing a very long set of 22 songs, the light show, stage set up, and energy of the brothers Smallbone and their very talented band brought hours of hope and joy in a time of world-wide unrest in a disrupted and confused city.

The crowd consisted of families, groups of teens, couples, and friends of all ages.  The chatter in the crowd was about favorites songs, and what For King and Country meant to them.

As someone who struggles with spirituality, and the recent loss to Covid-19 of my beautifully blind-faithed Christian brother, “Love me Like I Am,” brought me to tears.

Their set list included:

  • Relate
  • Fix My Eyes
  • Fight On, Fighter
  • Run Wind
  • Fine for Life
  • Love Me Like I Am
  • Shoulders
  • Unsung Hero
  • Harmony
  • Priceless
  • Burn the ships
  • Together
  • Broken Halos
  • Amen
  • Unity
  • Cheering You On
  • For God is With Us
  • The Proof of Your Love
  • Busted Heart (Hold on to Me)
  • God Only Knows
  • Joy
  • Little Drummer Boy