What an incredible night with Kirk Franklin x Maverick City at Manchester AO Arena on Sunday! As well as being an amazing concert, the evening was dedicated to God, and provided a powerful emotional and spiritual experience for all in attendance.
Opening the show were the wonderfully talented Areatha Anderson Williams and Charles Dada who led the audience of thousands in praise and worship. Having been named after Aretha Franklin, Areatha lived up to the prophecy that she would become a worship leader in her own right as she opened the night’s performances. Then Charles Dada got the entire audience on their feet with the recent hit from Elevation Worship that is impossible to resist joining in with: ‘Praise’.
Of course, the main attraction was Kirk Franklin and Maverick City, featuring Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore. They came out strong with a set of songs that got everyone jumping – quite literally – for the Lord our God. As we collectively declared ‘I Thank God’ it was clear that God was truly present in this place and working through these talented worship leaders and artists.
Kirk Franklin is a master at stirring up audiences to give their all to God, and that is certainly what I experienced in the arena last night. As he leapt across the stage, his dancing inspired the audience to push themselves further in their worship also. Sitting at the top of the tiered seating, I found it was especially impactful to be able to see everyone moving and worshipping together as one, and how the energy on the stage transferred to everyone in the standing area and stalls as well!
We were then blessed by a worship session led by the incredibly talented Chandler Moore on keyboard, with various lead vocalists including Kirk Franklin and Naomi Raine. Despite tech and sound issues, nothing could stop the power of worship as they led us through a series of songs. This included a personal highlight of mine for the evening – Kirk Franklin’s ‘My Life Is In Your Hands’. This had everyone raising their hands and reflecting on the unchanging power of God’s love to work in our lives.
This was then followed by another lively worship session from Kirk Franklin x Maverick City, where the energy levels were raised even higher. The high-octane chemistry between Kirk and Chandler was electric and excited the audience into dancing with them in ‘Big God’ by Tim Godfrey. The duo taught the arena the movements so nobody had an excuse not to join in, and the resulting energy as everyone danced along was palpable!
Naomi Raine beautifully led us in Spirit-filled renditions of ‘In The Room’ and ‘Rest On Us’ that touched the hearts of everyone who heard it and sang along. Her vocal prowess and commanding stage presence allowed God to truly work in and through her as she led this worship set.
The insanely talented Kirk Franklin then flew across the stage, dancing like David did, as he led us in the timeless classics ‘Stomp’, ‘Hosanna’ and ‘I Smile’ as the evening drew to a close. Phone torches shone and were waving across the arena as thousands of people, as one, declared “I know God is working so I smile”. And indeed, all left with smiles firmly plastered on their faces.
On social media, Naomi Raine highlighted Matthew 18:20, where God tells us that “where two or three gather in my name, I am there among them”. There were far more than two or three in attendance on Sunday night and I truly believe that God was indeed in the room, warming the souls of all who attended, through the powerful testimony these artists conveyed in their music. It was both an honour and a pleasure to be a part of such a night.
