Mainstay
6/30/06, at Salem E.C. Church, Lenhartsville, PA
It's difficult when you have a plan already laid out for making a trip that is abruptly cancelled
by forces beyond your control. We'd been gearing up for Creation North East for months when two days
before it began, an announcement was made about its cancellation (or "postponement," as they like to call it).
And while it disappointed tens of thousands of Creation-goers, there is just very little a festival
can do to control large amounts of water falling from the sky to flood out their campgrounds.
Thankfully the entire week wasn't a complete waste when the fine folks at Salem E.C. Church in Lenhartsville
contacted a booking agency to see if they had any bands left over from Creation's cancellation that
they could bring in for a last minute show. The name of a fairly new little band from Minneapolis
came up and the deal was made on Tuesday for a show to host just three days later on Friday evening.
The end result brought an impressive turnout that was even better than many small act shows can churn
up with months of promotion.
Despite a modest turn out, Mainstay clearly showed up to put on the best show
they could, and the result reflected nothing else. The band opened with their catchy single "This Could
Be," with their excitement for their music radiating to the audience. Singer/songwriter Justin Anderson
made it a point to converse with the audience between songs to make the show a little more personal,
which added to their performance's intimate feel. Their next song was edgier than anything on their
debut Well Meaning Fiction, as it was one of the band's retooled older songs, entitled "Gunshy." "Down Silver Lake"
and "Yesterday" exhibited the band's more pensive material, before pumping up the energy a bit more
with their album opener "These Pages."
Justin paused to share his heart about the Gospel and the meaning behind the title of
their record, Well Meaning Fiction, before performing the song. Anderson then told the story
of how God took away his voice a few years ago to help him get more serious about his relationship
with Christ before giving it back to him, leading into their hit song "Take Away." Finally, the
band ended their short set with the upbeat and memorable "Mirrors."
A one-band concert is no comparison to the grand scale that Creation festival is, but Mainstay
made this Friday night meaningful and fun. Although their set seemed to run a little short, this young
up and coming alternative rock band put on a great show, and gave plenty the audience could take
home with them afterwards. And hopefully next June, we'll all be treated to the band's first set
at Creation 2007...
-- John DiBiase, 7/1/06
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