My friend Chris invited me to see John Mark McMillan at Schuba's last night. The show started at nine (kinda early as these things go), on time, with the opening act, All the Bright Lights, self-described as "an ambient, mostly-instrumental" group. The cozy hall was probably a little more than 3/4 full of hipster-type Christians in skinny pants, Keds, and thin cardigans. I wasn't really familiar with the headliner but overall enjoyed the show. All the Bright Lights is basically also McMillan's band, and their guitarist and drummer were quite impressive throughout the evening.
McMillan has written a few songs that have made their way into evangelical worship services, so he had some devoted fans who could sing for him when he got tired of doing so. I'm not really a big "group activities" person, so I always find it somehow self-indulgent to have the mic turned in my direction as if I can somehow share the glory of being a rocker by singing poorly with a hundred other people. Maybe there's another way to interpret that, I don't know...
The main thing that got me thinking about writing something was that, from Schuba's perspective, the evening was probably a bust. Chris turned to me after one song and said, "That's probably the first time I sang a worship song with a beer in my hand." Me, too. But when I looked around I realized that Chris and I were pretty much the only people drinking. When I closed my tab I saw like three other people with an open tab, and I only ever saw one other person with a beer. In other words, most people paid their nominal $10 cover and then kept their wallets closed the rest of the night. What's the point of having a concert in a bar when you don't enjoy their beverage selection? At least, I'm guessing Schuba's is asking that question.
People, look: ya gotta be a little more savvy. You know Schuba's took a bit of a risk even having this guy, with all his songs about blood, lambs, and some "he" who loves him, so do him and them a favor and have a beer or an iced tea or something.
That's all I have to say about that.
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