Tour diary no. 3121. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

As this is being written on the way home from the USA (but really a week of Canada - that makes sense if you've read the previous 3 tour diaries) in an achey, over-tired, and emotional state, the best style I can muster will be a prosaic rambling affair. That was a very long sentence - I promise to keep them shorter, I hope. Off we go. 

This for me was a week back on the road with the band after about a year. I always like to give these short bursts an immature little name, this one was nicknamed for some reason the Chop Chop Trev Tour. Always a big event for me being out with the guys. I feel like an old pair of familiar slippers, which is not a bad thing. We're in Edmonton, terribly beautiful, big sky. I shared a room with Martin Smith, which is never a bad thing. The event is called YC - a huge 3 day sold out 16,000 people affair held in an ice hockey arena. Mike Love is in charge, never met him before but the 2 minutes I witnessed of him he came across as the most natural and approachable guys you'd wish to meet. Another Mike was there to speak, the old familiar hefty Greek friend Pilavachi one. Which is never a bad thing. Congratulations to him getting found in Iraq, he's doing ever so well. Odd thing though, the day was so busy I didn't get to say hi, the only visual contact was a wonderfully confused glare I got from him as I untidily wrapped Stu G's floor can cable (very important and technical thing you wouldn't understand) around myself as he was finishing up his talk... (that I'd heard somewhere before). Heck of a brilliant talk though.

A joy to run the lights as the good lad Daniel St.James was the designer and every fancy flashy light in Canada appeared to be here. Wonderful - toys akimbo. Difficult to say how much I enjoy doing this job. There are difficult days and fun days, nervous days and relaxed days. This was all of that put together - and that's the script and no complaints (although I'm aware I do quite regularly, sorry everyone). The 4th show on the trot and so it was all beginning to feel logical to me. If you are in the habit of reading these diaries then you'll have read every possible description of how the band can, and do, perform and sing the Godly stuff. Or if you haven't read one before, go read ten of them and imagine that's what happened tonight. Before any of the band chip in, the highlight was my ham-fisted appallingly terrible effort at lighting them up individually as carefully planned for their intro - the one day I was specifically charged to get it right. Ian cattle, tour manager, told me that of all the shows, I musn't get this one wrong. So many people and all that. It couldn't have gone worse wrong, although in my defence they did actually get lit up but in totally the wrong order and timing. There is no 'right way' to run a light show however, and that's probably why I do it. There is, however, only one way to sing the right note, or get the right drum moment, or strum a chord, and believe me, I remind the crystal palace cockney's of that on a nightly basis....Mates on the road, Delirious musically kicking it for the masses. Not many better experiences in my humble experience. Try it sometime. Just don't mess up the intro alright?

these songs have walked with me from childhood to manhood. these songs have given me wings to fly, these songs have given me a map to search His heart and my own, these songs have chaperoned the love of my youth and i into vibrant marriage, these songs teach me to pray, teach me to worship and cater to me in walking hand in hand with the Almighty.

i love these songs, and when performed live they are even better. despite the fact that i only get delirious leading me in worship about 3 times a year, those are the moments that season the other 352ish days of my year. at today's gig martin seamed very fresh. it was
delightful; we need transformed, ambitious, kingly, creative, crisp worship leaders to bring us to where God is and where God wants to take us as His body. thanks lads for being forerunners for us.

cheers mates! ... we got your back boys, literally, we are right here on your back.

jonny.Pittsburgh and the lads @ kingly coverings

It's been too long since I saw the legendary Delirious? perform last - nearly 5 years ago in Cincinnati! Back in the day I could average several d: gigs per year, and yet here we are now, all half a decade older (and hopefully wiser) - I guess living in rural Minnesota
geographically keeps me isolated from attending many concerts. So, it was with great delight when I discovered Delirious? would be making a short trek across The Great White North - Canada, including a stop in good ol' Winnipeg! Hooray! Winnipeg happens to be a 5-hour drive north of me (and a hop across the 49th Parallel), so my lovely wife Amber and I were NOT gonna miss out on this one!

We crossed the Canadian border with no troubles (AND I suspect the border patrol guy was a Delirious? fan too!). The day was windy, rainy, and unseasonably cold, so luckily the show was going to be indoors (although I guess the d:boys would feel right at home if it were outside!). Let me tell you, the Springs Church was astonishing - never have I seen a church complex with its own bookstore and coffee
shop! The facilities were spectacular and made for what would be an amazing live performance.

Now, the last time I saw Delirious? perform, their most recent album was 'Audio Lessonover?' and the Queen was celebrating her Golden Jubilee. iPods still had black & white screens. Spider-Man ONE was
playing in cinemas. Well, 2 studio albums (and 2 Spidey films) later, Amber and I were finally able to hear some live renditions of insta-classics off 'World Service' and 'The Mission Bell.' The boys came out on stage with their signature white suits, giant video
screens flashing, and kicked into high gear with "Here I Am Send Me." Ah, it felt so good to hear the boys live again. And rather awesome that we got to catch up on some of the more recent tunes. Don't get me
wrong, the Willow Creek DVD from last year is top-notch, but there's a big difference between blasting a live d:show on your 27" TV in your living room, and actually BEING THERE, singing along with hundreds of others under the full squeal of Stu G's guitars, Tim's uplifting keys, Stew's machine-gun percussion, Jon's thundering bass and Martin's captivating voice. All at once I was back to a rare but familiar experience - that which is a Delirious? concert. Uplifting, inspirational, of course, but let me just remind you, ROCKING AND ROLLING!

Back to the music, we next heard "Rain Down," then the oldie (but always a goodie) "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?" More currents such as "Solid Rock" and "Now Is The Time" were next, where Martin shone a spotlight throughout the crowds. Then we had "Take Off My Shoes," followed by a powerful sing-along to "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever," and then "Miracle Maker." The auditorium went silent
for a few seconds and suddenly "History Maker" jump-started us again. I really enjoyed seeing the 'newspaper' montage up on the screens, with lyrics and the real-life 'history maker' passport photos blink on by - I think I spotted my photo in there a few times!

The tunes kept a'coming as "Paint The Town Red," "Majesty," and "Our God Reigns" continued on until the band left the stage, before coming back for an encore. Encore = "All This Time" and "Investigate!" This was by far my favorite of the night - and I think since the days of 'Glo,' Stu G has had countless nights of playing that extended "Investigate" solo, turning it into something of pure rock perfection. All I can say is - WOW! He truly is a Brian May/David Gilmour of our time (yes those men are still with us but you know what I mean!). Our show ended with "There Is A Light."

I must mention one other thing - something convinced me I should present the boys a little "gift" as I hadn't seen them in a while, so what did I do? I decided to draw up a cartoon in the style of an old
Disney or Looney Tunes title card - with 5 faces caricatured into each of the d:boys. I finished it up LATE the night before, then had second thoughts about even giving it to them (I'm never satisfied with my skills). Well, I did after the show, and, well, don't know how well they all took it! Trusty Ian Cattle was standing nearby and had a chuckle at Jon's likeness, and seems like Tim had a good laugh, but Martin seemed a bit unsure. My intentions are all good; I never mean to offend! Jon didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but it was all in fun, as caricatures are meant to be! BUT if you feel the need to put it away in storage for all eternity, I'll understand, ha ha!

Thanks again to the band for a fun show tonight - and I promise it won't take me another 5 years to see you guys again. My fan site, on the other hand... we'll see!

Cheers to you,
Trevour - www.deliriousland.net

So the day started with a phone call from the hotel to home. By the tone of my wife’s voice, she was pleased to hear from me but it did sound to me she was surprised I’d remembered, and if I was a betting man, I’d put money on it that she’d forgot, but she didn’t admit to that. Why was she surprised I’d remembered. I never forget important dates like this when I’m on the road. (especially when drummer boy Smee Smith’s anniversary is on the same day). There are definite advantages being on the road with him at this time of year.

The flight from Toronto to Ottawa was quick and pleasant. Check in at the hotel was quick and easy and lunch there was great. Set up at the venue was easy today too. We had a good crew there. Everything was set up and ready to go, and I’d e-mailed a file for the PM5d digital desk I had there, which the guys had loaded in, so when I’d set my ears rack up,  and checked it was all working, I was ready for the show. That was a good thing because it meant sound check was fast and we got back to the hotel in time to watch the European champions league cup final live from Athens. Liverpool versus AC Milan. I’ve been a Liverpool supporter all my life but today they lost 2-1. Gutting. Even the mighty Steven Gerrard couldn’t save the day.

I watched the opening act Geoff Moore tonight. He’s got an amazing voice. I have some of his albums in my collection from the late 80’s early 90’s. Great songs too. I’ll have to get some of his newer stuff.

Delirious rocked the house tonight. ‘Deeper’ is back in the set at the minute and my favourite ‘Investigate’. We’ve got a 4am lobby call in the morning, so it was off to bed quick after the show. Tomorrow will be a long day.

This is MC Trev the Rev from the monitor board keeping it real on the anniversary. Rock on…

Iain Lovatt - friend/marketing quarterback @ muskoka woods

In 1996, D: boys followed God's leading to "take it wherever it goes" and accepted an invite from a young youth worker which brought them to play their first Canadian gig in a small town outside Vancouver called Langley. That night, the excitement and anticipation weighed heavy in the air. We were all ready to enter into this new thing God was doing, to worship like an army and go deeper- as deep as we could go. We weren't disappointed.

Last night in Toronto, 11 years after Langley, the same feelings were heavy on the crowd at Queensway and the boys didn't disappoint. Sensitive to God's leading Delirious draped in their white & blacks played old anthems like I Could Sing of You Love Forever, Deeper & History Maker which lit the crowd up once again and and new anthems like Take off My Shoes & Our God Reigns which showed there's a deep well the boys are going to and we are so thankful they're sharing the water!

The energy was electric and the crowd followed Martin & the boys every step of the way. Stew set the march throughout the night, Jon, stoic and firm kept his post like a legend. Tim laid the atmosphere that angels dance too while Stu G had fire coming from his fingers all night. Martin did what Martin does best- he called us all deeper and further and at the end of the show we were all left hungry for more- a classic Delirious trait. Thanks for coming back to Canada boys. Much love & see you soon.

OUR GOD REIGNS!

All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Today we had the honour of getting out our umbrellas and getting out under the gray sky's of Rome. Our seven hour trip of the Italian capital began amongst the vast crowds waiting to experience the grandness of the epic St Peter's Church. Conversations about the Da Vinci Code and King Henry the 8th were vibrant almost rivaling the amazing decor and architecture of the Popes local. Men had given their lives to bring this architectural dream into a reality, we walked round with our necks craned and our spirits alive.

Next to Michael Angelo's Sistine chapel where the queue was about ninety minutes long so we boycotted in the favour of fresh Italian pizza and strong coffee in the shadows of the Colosseum.

Then the Colosseum, badgers noses? Otters spleens? What a place, how confusing. We stood on the ancient stone looking at the site where people have been killed for carrying the same faith that we are in possession of. Half of me was in awe of it's scale whilst the other sickened by the history.

Then it was a short walk to the Mamertine prisons were according to tradition, Saint Peter and Paul of Tarsus had been held. What seemed a million miles from the grandiose of the morning's sights yet is an integral part of our faith. There were no queues, no painted ceilings, no sculptures no guided tours, just a heavy sincere silence hanging in the damp dark air.

For me Roma brought into sharp focus the cost of faith. From imprisionment, to the lions den, to giving your life to art and making the church more beautiful. We all to often focus on the prosperity but forget the cost, the cost that often someone else is paying on our behalf.

The Gig.

An English band invited to Italy by Brazilian missionaries, it was like the united nations of Football. The scene was a circus tent full of Italians having their first delirious blend. All the elements were present, brewed to perfection. A great end to an amazing day.

Romanes eunt domus.