by Matt Conner

As one of the primary songwriters and worship leaders for Bethel Music, Josh Baldwin knows a thing or two about performing in front of crowds—very, very large crowds. Bethel Music is a name known globally for their worship releases and resources, and Baldwin has become a significant part within the movement, penning beautiful, resonant worship songs like “You Deserve It All” and “Praises.” His newest single “Stand In Your Love” will undoubtedly join the aforementioned tracks as yet another popular congregational song.

Given Baldwin’s familiarity with the stage, we thought we’d ask him about his own favorite concerts over the years. He was gracious enough to make us such a list, noting that these are in no particular order.

1. STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN/GEOFF MOORE at Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC
Here’s the thing: I’ve been to more SCC concerts than I care to put on this list. He is my hero and the reason I picked up an acoustic guitar when I was 15. This concert was extra special to me though because it was the tour he did with Geoff Moore, and I was also a huge Geoff Moore & The Distance fan!

2. RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER at Vannoy Farms, Harmony, NC
My roots are in the mountains of North Carolina and the music that comes out of me is heavily influenced by that. So going to a Ricky Skaggs concert on a farm in those mountains felt pretty emotional. I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced the joy of the Lord quite as much as I did that night!

3. COLDPLAY at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
This was the first concert I ever attended with my wife. We were just dating at the time. I just remember having so much fun being there with her. So a year later I married her and I’ve been taking her to concerts ever since.

4. DC TALK & AUDIO ADRENALINE at Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
I think this was the first concert I went to where I was genuinely so excited to be there I just stared and smiled. I was a massive dc Talk fan (as was every Christian teenager in the 90’s) and I couldn’t believe I was actually seeing them live.

5. COLONY HOUSE at The Visulite Theater, Charlotte, NC
I am such a huge fan of these guys! I don’t think I have ever heard a tighter band live.

6. RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS in Columbia, SC
I have been a long time Ryan Adams fan. Even though his music isn’t Christian, I would have to say my musical style has definitely been influenced by him. This concert was his last with The Cardinals.

7. JOHN MARK MCMILLAN (The Medicine release show) at The Visuite Theater in Charlotte, NC
John Mark has been such a great friend to me for the past 17 years, and I have been to a lot of his shows through the years. This night felt so significant though. It was the release night of his timeless album The Medicine. I just remember feeling so proud of my friend.

8. PETE YORN in Charlotte, NC
I have alway loved Pete Yorn. He came to this little venue a few miles down the road from my house. It was the middle of the week and I was shocked to find that not many people were there. So I was able to just go all the way to the front of the stage and stand right in front of Pete. It was surreal—and kinda weird.

9. CHRIS STAPLETON near Sacramento, CA
This guy is currently one of my favorite artists. His authenticity and songwriting is unmatched and seeing him perform live was amazing.

10. FOR KING & COUNTRY every night on The Roadshow Tour
These guys blew me away with their concert every night of The Roadshow Tour! The pure entertainment value of it rivals any show I’ve ever seen, but when you add in the heart and message behind the music you get what in my opinion is the best Christian music concert around. Also, just once I wanna be the guy in the band who runs around clanging those cymbals together. Come on, Joel & Luke!

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