Good News for Norwich Harvest 2002

Delirious night

Would top Christian rock band Delirious? live up to their name when they visited Norwich's UEA earlier this year. Kevin Gotts went along to find out.
Privileged with a press pass from Furious? Records I was able to weave my way through some 600 fans queued up outside the UEA venue ranging from teenagers dressed in denim to family groups spanning the 20-50 year age bracket.
In my quest for information I headed for the merchandising stall. A roadie almost buckled under the questions I had for him. Describing Delirious? as contemporary rock, formed in 1992 they had sold 1.6 million records worldwide, including seven top 40 UK hits. Last year they had toured with Bon Jovi, playing to 250,000 fans.
The lights dimmed and onto the stage rushed the four American musicians of All Star United. Playing the tracks Let it Rain, Smash Hit and We Are The Future to an ecstatic audience this band certainly rocked. I resolved to check out the band's web site www.allstarunited.com.
Delirious? lead singer Martin Smith.
Minutes later the mood changed. The dapper suited Martin Smith (lead singer/writer) entranced, followed by Stu Garrard (lead guitar), John Thatcher (Bass guitar), Stu Smith (drummer) and Tim Jupp (keyboard). These were Delirious? the Sussex-based, Christian rock band sometimes compared to U2, Green Day and Radiohead.
The massive video screen featured material they had created. The pop video element synchronised amazingly accurately with Smith's live singing. Images of children living and playing in Africa highlighted the band's fundraising work with the hopeHIV charity.
Above all Delirious? are a hardworking and professional band that stand on merit. The younger fans responded rapidly to Smith's invitation, "Are you 		 ready to bounce?"
There was a touch of humour as Smith donned an England football shirt emblazed with SMIFF.
This band with its mix of contemporary rock and catchy pop connected with their audience. They sang along to the tracks Obsession, History Maker, Waiting for Summer, Glorious and Deeper.
Their faith is clear and Smith reinforced it, "The best thing over all these years is to sing about the Glory of God".
Fan Adrian Davies from Stowmarket commented, "It's good to come and see them here. They're the best Christian band around at the moment."
The show finished with an encore of "Investigate", a fitting song to the quest to find who can rock faith?  

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