Your Music
TobyMac Rocks NYC and Me
From the opening song, “Get This Party Started” you knew you were in for a ride. You could feel the excitement and energy from your head to your toes. But the excitement began even before a single note was played. When we arrived at Rock the Sound hours earlier, there was already a crowd waiting to get in for early admission and the “Meet and Greet.”
We were brought in to meet TobyMac and RelientK. I was so nervous and excited at the same time. I kept practicing my question while I was waiting. We saw RelientK first and I asked, “When we leave here tonight what message would you like us to go home with?” Their answer was, “Drive safe.” Then they made some jokes about me driving home because I am only 8 years old. After that, they realized what I was really asking them and so they gave me this response: “Be encouraged by the music you hear and enjoy your friends and family on the holidays.” Next it was time for TobyMac. After he complimented the scarf I was wearing, I asked the same question. He answered, “Be encouraged. Have hope and when you leave here don’t leave with the words ‘TobyMac’ but the words ‘Jesus Christ’ on your lips.” Then he told me that it was a great question.
Now it was time for the music. The show opened with “Doubledge,” an up and coming band from the Bronx. They should be headlining shows. They brought a lot of energy and even though I was not familiar with their songs, I really enjoyed them. I had a chance to meet them afterwards and they were really cool. Next up was B. Reith. I was not familiar with him either, but ended up buying his CD. Reith has a style that I’ve never heard before. It was also great to meet him. He took the time to speak to everyone, which I thought was awesome. I am really enjoying his music. It is one of my favorite CD’s. Stephanie Smith was next and she can ROCK. I really enjoyed her edge and when she sang “I love Rock n’ Roll” the crowd went crazy. She was very sweet when I met her afterwards.
Then it was time for TobyMac. By the time he came on the stage we were all full of excitement and encouragement. I didn’t think it could get any better. There was an atmosphere I can’t even put into words. He told us that we were only the second show on the tour and we would get to see more of an unrehearsed show with flaws but also have more fun. We were also treated to hearing some songs off the new album Tonight, including “City on Our Knees.” I had never seen a concert with this much energy. There were so many musicians and dancers that it was hard to decide where to focus my attention. Everyone on stage had a passion that was hard to miss. There was old school break dancing, “mosh-pit” slamming and TobyMac jumping onto Shonlock’s back. They even went into a disco medley including “Rollercoaster of Love,” “We are Family,” and “That’s the Way” among others. In the middle of all the great music and dancing, his message shined the brightest with quotes like, “God is a very creative artist… using all the brushes and colors in the pallet” and “We can all lose our way, let’s not lose our souls… our soul is forever who we are.” His passion and love was so obvious and contagious that you couldn’t leave there without a true “fire” for God. Just when I thought it was over, the entire line-up came out for a finale of “Winter Wonder Slam,” TobyMac’s take on “Winter Wonderland.” The last surprise was TobyMac taking a stage dive into the audience right next to me. It was awesome!
I will never miss this tour again. I recommend you go if it comes near you even if you have to drive a few hours. Definitely worth it! And thanks Rock the Sound for bringing these great concerts to us. We really appreciate it! 
Photography by: Tiffany Lively
www.tiffanylivelyphotography.com