Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Concert Review


Photos by John DiBiase

Justin McRoberts
10/14/05, at Christopher Dock High School, Lansdale, PA

Every once in a great while a singer/songwriter is born with perfect pitch and amazing talent. But enough about me, let's talk about Justin McRoberts (Note: Kevin can't sing. - John). Just like the US Postal Service, John and I trekked out through a fifth straight day of rain to Lansdale, PA to catch a glimpse of Justin's Fall Tour. After coming out with his seventh album Grace Must Wound... the day before, we were looking forward to hearing some new tunes as well as some old favorites. If you've seen Justin live, you know he doesn't disappoint.

Justin's shows have always been personal, honest, funny and all-around just really good. He's one of the few artists who can pull off an acoustic show with just himself and his Taylor, and still have a strong voice after an hour and a half of singing and talking. Infusing stories of his past and his friends make his shows unique. Justin immediately sets the atmosphere for the night by walking on stage and taking off his shoes and socks and putting his tea on a chair. He opens with "Keep on Driving," immediately setting the tone for the night with a slow song. "Change," a new song off his most personal album to date, Grace Must Wound..., was played next followed by one of his humorous stories about his teen and college years. "Holy Ground," a song inspired by his musical profession and taking life seriously, was then followed by "I Will Come," off of his amazing Untitled EP worship album. "You And I" was next, a love song from Grace Must Wound..., and also the first song directly written for and titled by his wife, Amy. "Whole Way Home" preceded "Picking Sides," a song inspired by a recent trip to a military base in Germany that revealed a personal side of Justin that many musicians chose not to reveal on stage. "One," a cover of U2 that Justin covered on his Intersections album, followed that.

The thing that makes Justin's concerts so great is his honesty. Having seen him live numerous times, and hearing him elaborate on his past and how God has worked in his life, is a treat rarely seen or heard. McRoberts included the new song, "Picture of You," which he had written about his father who committed suicide when Justin was in his early 20's. It is perhaps one of the saddest songs I've ever heard and opened a gateway into Justin's heart. However, "Be Not Far Off" was next, another new song, offering some hope on Justin's past and to anyone in a dire situation, praying to God for strength and help. "Haunted" followed with "Learning to Need You" serving as a very appropriate worshipful end for the night.

Writing a concert review is easy because you explain the events of the evening to a reader. Making it sound eloquent is the only catch. However some things just can't be explained, they have to be experienced. A Justin McRoberts show is one of those things. Justin is gifted with an amazing voice and has decided to share that with the rest of us. Now you can do your part to give back by going out and supporting him.

-- Kevin Chamberlin, 10/24/05


 

The Justin McRoberts Photo Gallery
click on an image for a bigger size

Justin McRoberts

*all photos by John DiBiase and are the property of Jesusfreakhideout.com


 

go to main Album review page

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images