If you missed Anthony Brown’s concert on September 25, you missed a whole different experience. The performance was from 7 - 8 pm at the Howard Performing Arts Center, and the seats were selling fast. I went to buy a seat online earlier that day but forgot to complete it, so when I came back, I could only buy a seat toward the back of the auditorium; the front seats had sold out. I arrived at the Howard a few minutes early, picked up my ticket, and headed in.
When I walked into the auditorium, I noticed purple spotlights illuminating the stage. On the left of the platform was a keyboard, and in the back was a drum set. The auditorium seats were about two-thirds full, with plenty of community members and students. The energy and anticipation were only growing as the time for Anthony Brown to come out approached.
Finally, the man himself entered with Group TherAPy to thunderous applause and cheering. Group TherAPy consisted of a pianist, a drummer, and three backup singers. Anthony Brown wore distressed jeans, a gray jacket, and a bright orange hat. Once he grabbed the mic, he wasted no time jumping into the first song.
After the first song, Anthony apologized for not making it to last year’s concert. He and his group had planned to visit Andrews, but a storm prevented their plane from taking off. He was so embarrassed as this was his group’s first missed appointment. To make up for lost time, Anthony promised everyone, “The next sixty minutes will be the most intensive of your life.”
The second song involved audience participation. I did my best to learn the specific rhythm of clapping and dancing, and found that it was a lot of fun! “Every time I turn a-round: blessings on blessings!” was sung while I physically turned around.
After the song, Anthony expressed how he viewed this as his ministry, spreading God’s love through music. He also interacted with the audience, asking if they wanted to sit or stand, finally letting us rest our feet from all that spinning. The mood shifted from energetic praise to thoughtful contemplation as we sang about God’s love replacing our fears: “You did not create me for worry; You created me to worship.”
We rolled through song after song about affirmation, forgiveness, and blessings. Anthony encouraged us to let our fears and worries walk out that exit door. For his last song, Anthony asked for audience picks, settling on “I Refuse,” which also involved audience participation. The audience divided through the middle; the left and right halves competed to praise God with the most energy. I think my side was better, though the right half won officially. Finally, Anthony Brown walked off the stage to applause and cheers. The concert finished.
Except, it wasn’t. Soon the cheers changed to chanting: “We want more,” everyone hoping this moment wasn’t over yet. A minute passed, and I began doubting Anthony would come back onstage. But no, Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy returned for one last song.
After the performance was truly over, I interviewed several students, asking for opinions on the performance. I first asked why they came to see Anthony Brown. Taznir Smalling (junior, international business) was happy to oblige. “I love Anthony Brown and Group Therapy, and I came because I needed therapy.” Alandre Rogers (sophomore, mechanical engineering) replied, “I came because I love Anthony Brown; I’ve been listening to his music for like, literally, years. One of his songs…literally made me cry the first time I heard it.”
I also asked whether the concert delivered, whether it met their expectations. Owen Kayigambi (freshman, aviation) only came because his friends had an extra ticket, but he found the concert “better than I actually imagined; it was actually nice, it was fun, and there was actually too much energy.” Alandre agreed, saying, “I got more than I expected. I was not expecting him to come back out. He’d walked away, and then [we saw] the runner run back and grab the mic, and we were like, ‘Aw yeah, he’s coming back.’”
My last question was whether they wanted more events like this. Davielle Smith (junior, math and music) loves live gospel music. She said, “I’m all for live music, and this live performance was incredible.” We might want to trust her opinion; she is a music major. Owen was ready to add this to his schedule: “Actually, I would come. Like, every Sunday, they could organize something like a concert and invite some other people to come over.”
To be honest, I entirely agree with my fellow students. I attended because I was writing an article for Pulse, but also because I was curious. I wasn’t expecting to get into the groove by singing and dancing with everyone else. This concert was lit, and I absolutely want to see more like it on campus.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.