Live Concert Review and Gallery of Casting Crowns Spring 20th Anniversary Tour in Norfolk, Virginia April 4, 2024
Norfolk, VA (April 4, 2024)
Casting Crowns, GRAMMY®, Dove, Billboard, and American Music Award-winning multi-platinum band from Georgia, extended their fall Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience, into spring of 2024. The first stop was at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia on April 4th. The anniversary of this ministry-minded band with lead singer Mark Hall has been celebrated in three extraordinary ways: A new album Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years released November 3, 2023; an impactful documentary film Casting Crowns:Home By Sunday which debuted in theaters on one glorious day last November; and the 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience fall 2023 and spring 2024. All three are exceptional and should not be missed.
Photos: Annette Holloway Photography
To begin the concert, the lights went down, and the orchestra played beautifully to set a worshipful tone for the night. Casting Crowns took the stage and naturally, performed their very first song, “If We Are the Body.” The lyrics beg the question why church members fail to welcome others into their circle of friends, thus alienating them from the body of Christ. The second track, “Voice of Truth,” communicates the importance of embracing God’s perspective over succumbing to self-doubt. It’s achieved platinum status and was written by Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman. At times the fans in the audience nearly drowned out Mark while singing along. Chapman covers this song masterfully on the anniversary album.
Fans loved the familiar GRAMMY®-winning hit “Lifesong,” of course, and a highlight of the evening was when Mark explained how the band came about. (You can watch their new documentary to get the full story. Links are below.) Each band member then introduced themselves telling how and when they joined. Crowns has two members who have joined in recent years: John Michael Hall on bass and Jack Williams on drums. John Michael replaced Chris Huffman in 2020 and Jack Williams replaced Brian Scoggin in 2021. Both have very different but incredible testimonies and were a blessing to hear. See the complete list of band members below.
With so many hits over 20 years, it’s hard to pick favorites from the show. “Praise You in This Storm,” “East to West,” and many other Crowns songs from the night’s setlist rang through my house before I ever became a concert photographer nearly ten years ago. This night at Chrysler Hall was the first time I’d heard Meagan Garrett sing “Just Be Held,” and it was beautifully done. Her incredible voice is in a category all by itself. “Nobody,” “Scars in Heaven,” and “Who Am I,” marked the end of an unforgettable night. Fans got on their feet for their favorite songs with arms stretched up to the heavens, singing to the Savior. Casting Crowns definitely reached their goal of “pointing to the point.”
Setlist – Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience*
Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia April 4, 2024
Overture
1. If We Are the Body [Casting Crowns 2003]
2. Voice of Truth [Casting Crowns 2003]
3. Lifesong [Lifesong 2005]
4. Stained Glass Masquerade [Lifesong 2005]
5. Set Me Free [Lifesong 2005]
6. Praise You in This Storm [Lifesong 2005]
7. Just Be Held [Thrive 2014]
8. Oh My Soul [The Very Next Thing 2016]
9. Somewhere In The Middle / God of All My Days [The Very Next Thing 2016]
10. East to West [The Altar and the Door 2007]
11. All Because of Mercy [Healer 2022]
Compassion International / Intermission
Whole World Hears Overture
12. Glorious Day [Living He Loved Me] [Until the Whole World Hears 2009]
13. The Well [Come to the Well 2011]
14. All You’ve Ever Wanted [Thrive 2014]
15. White Dove Fly High [The Altar and the Door 2007]
16. Awaken Me [Only Jesus 2018]
17. Only Jesus [Only Jesus 2018]
18. Nobody [Only Jesus 2018]
19. Scars in Heaven [Healer 2022]
20. Who Am I [Casting Crowns 2003]
*Includes Song [Album Title & Year Released]
Band Members
Mark Hall (lead vocals, songwriter 1999-present)
Juan Devevo (guitar, vocals 1999-present)
Melodee Devevo (violin, vocals, cello 1999-present)
Megan Garrett (vocals, piano 2001-present)
Josh Mix (lead guitar, vocals 2013-present)
John Michael Hall (bass 2020-present)
Jack Williams (drums 2021-present)
Prayers and condolences go out to the Hall family as Mark’s father, John Barry Hall, went home to be with the Lord late February. He was a staunch supporter of Mark’s band, mission and ministry. Mark wrote “Scars” for him during his decline. “But now you’re standing in the sun. You fought your fight, your race is won. The pain is all a million miles away.”
Experience Casting Crowns Live: https://www.castingcrownslive.com/
Listen to the 20th Anniversary Album: https://castingcrowns.lnk.to/LifesongsAW
Access the documentary Casting Crowns: Home by Sunday from CastingCrowns.com or from YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-8hFZvXPNU
Connect with Casting Crowns:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/castingcrowns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castingcrownsofficial/
Website: https://www.castingcrowns.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CastingCrowns
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@castingcrownsofficial
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