Delirious in Exeter

Delirious came to Exeter University as part of their UK Mission Bell Tour. Kernowyouth's Phil Hadley was there. Here's his exclusive report and photos...

Delirious are currently ringing the Mission Bell across the UK. On Friday 13th October it was tolling in the Great Hall at Exeter University. A near capacity crowd filled the auditorium. The warm up artist was Tim Hughes. His set was an upbeat one, obviously to ready the audience for what was to follow. The Christians in the audience were singing along to their favourites, others were looking on rather befuddled. The second song, “Dancing Generation” got the crowd moving. By the fourth song, “Beautiful One” the audience were in fine voice. Next came his classic “Here I am to worship”. Tim’s version of the Richie Mullins’ classic “Our God is an awesome God” mixed with the voice of Dr Shadrach Meshach Lockridge praying his Seven Way King psalm, was well received by the audience. Tim finished with “The greatest story in History”.

At the end of the break I took my place in the pit. With my press pass I was granted permission to take photographs during the first three songs. It was an awesome place to experience the beginning of the Delirious set. The anticipation amongst the crowd was tangible. I chatted to some of the youth group from Tiverton pressed against the barrier.  Then the lights dimmed, a siren wailed, a pounding beat grew as red lights criss-crossed the stage. On came the band to great roars and as white spots picked them out on the stage the crowd went wild.

The opening song was “Here I Am Send Me”. It started with the chorus and Martin urging the crowd to “sing it, sing it!” They didn’t need telling. The band were all dressed in white suits with personalised variations. Jon’s, with his red wings, produced the most merriment.

“Rain Down” was the second song, and by now the crowd were jumping. I could feel the floor bouncing. The lyrics were shown on the large video screen. “Fire Burns” quickly followed with flames licking the lyrics on the screen and the stage covered in red and yellow light. The band were sounding good, and the smiles between them on the stage showed they were beginning to enjoy this gig already. That was my three songs over and I returned to my seat in the balcony to watch the rest of the spectacle. I took my seat to enjoy the end of “Solid Rock” with Martin singing down his megaphone which had been painted bright red for the occasion.

“It’s great to be back in Exeter,” Martin told the crowd. “Now is the Time” was next, Tim’s piano easing us into the song. “Now is the time for us to shine,” sang Martin reaching for a spotlight. It didn’t work. “Now is the time for us to shine,” he sang again. Still no joy. He threw it down and on came the light. He picked it up and shone it on Stu G, on the audience. It had the desired effect!

“Our God Reigns” followed. Typewriter effect lyrics, glitter ball video and a track where the wall of sound just grew and grew. The audience’s voices swelled the chorus before Tim’s piano and Stu G’s guitar filled the auditorium bringing the song to a huge instrumental crescendo. Rapturous applause gave way to the mellow sound of “Jesus, Jesus,” from “What A Friend I’ve Found.”

Martin then pulls out a Bible and says “I’d like to read you a bit.” Huge cheers. He read the story of the guy by the pool of Bethesda who told Jesus “I have no one to put me in the pool.” The band were then into “Miracle Maker” which challenged the audience to walk in the shoes of their miracle maker. Before the interval the audience had been told about the work of HopeHIV as it seeks to combat Aids and the problems caused by HIV in Africa. A video using Miracle Maker as its soundtrack and an interview with Tim Jupp who had used a birthday celebration to support the work of a Durban Street Project, urged the audience to better the text donations of the 500 sent in Southampton and the 800 in Brentwood on the first two nights of the tour. As Martin sang “You are holy” the word ‘holy’ flashed on the screen in numerous languages. The international scope of the “Mission” was brought home to the audience in a powerful way that for many made the hairs on the back of their neck stand up.

Next came the best video of the night. An old song – a brand new video. Delirious performed “Historymaker” to mock newspapers filling the screen with the lyrics as the headlines and fan photos as the history makers making the front page news. The video for “Paint The Town Red” was excellent too. The lyrics appeared on road signs, bus shelters, an underground train, advertising hoardings with the band members appearing as red silhouettes in the busy city streets. Musically, the band were tight, the sound superb. The audience were beginning to grasp they were enjoying a real classic concert. The Great Hall had certainly warmed up. In the balcony the floor was wet with the condensation. On stage Martin, having previous removed his jacket, now undid his tie and hung it over his shoulders.

Next came a moment of light relief. In honour of the famed Delirious acoustic moments performed from the sofa, five keyboards were set up on stage and the band performed what Martin called the “post-modern version of Delirious’ most requested song.” It was the “Happy Song” as you’ve never heard it before! Then reverting to the mission theme, the band were into “Revival Town”, the sound pure awesome Delirious. The on stage cameras brought close up shots of the band onto the screen.

“Take Off My Shoes” brought another moment of intimate worship for the two thousand strong audience stood with arms raised. “The secret of joy are the moments we meet” sang Martin. “Majesty” continued the time of worship, at times the band happy to play and let the audience sing. A short reprise of “Paint The Town Red” left the audience echoing “Here we come” and the gig was over. No way. The audience clamoured for more and the band returned for an encore. “All this time, since the day that I was born, I’ve never known a time like this,” was the first song. “You are amazing,” Martin told the audience. “How many of you have never been to a Delirious concert before?” he asked. Two thirds of the audience put their hands up. “How old are you?” he asked a young lad in the front row. “Ten,” was the reply. “We’re old enough to be his father,” Martin said to Stu G smiling. The night finished with “Stronger”. The band came and stood together arms around each others shoulders and took a bow.

This was Delirious at their best. An excellent concert. A challenging and awe-inspiring evening of worship. This band are certainly ringing the Mission Bell wherever they go. May we stand with them with the faith of a Miracle Maker.

Report and photos by Phil Hadley (c) Kernowyouth 2006
With thanks to Furious Records & Delirious for permission for the photographs.
Not to be used without permission.

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