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On May 21st 2005 the Australian band Newsboys appeared in concert just one half hour north of Toronto. On May 20th 2006 they again performed in concert in Toronto, this time at Canada Christian concert. The difference between the two concerts­there wasn't one. Had you not been at the 2005 concert you probably would have been overjoyed to hear them play and sing some of their fans favorite tunes; "Shine" (Going Public-1994), "Take Me To Your Leader" (CD of the same name-1996), "Entertaining Angels" (CD Entertaining Angels 1998) and "He Reigns" (Adoration-The Worship Project 2003). If you were at the earlier concert or presumably any concert at which the Newsboys have appeared in the past year unless you are a hardcore fan you would have been disappointed. 
 
This concert was identical to the one in which they performed one year earlier. The group played exactly the same eight songs, in the same order and then left the stage to appear for two more songs played one year earlier. Thinking it must be my imagination I hauled out my old review and notes but was disappointed to learn that right down to the words of his Peter Furler's mini sermon this was a repeat performance. Even the special effects were identical and appeared at the same juncture in the set. Surely Toronto fans and fans of other cities where a major music act appears deserve a better effort than this.
 
While it can easily be argued the Newsboys are one of the most polished and musically competent pop rock bands on the scene today the case can also be made that they seem aloof from their fans. The difference in passion and apparent sincerity from Geoff Moore's opening act and that of the Newsboys was evident. Moore had appeared just a year earlier in Toronto at a separate concert and as the opening act for the Newsboys on this night was the superior performer. Moore's backup band could not compete at the same level as the Newsboys but he simply outclassed the Aussies' lead vocalist Peter Furler. 
 
The only change to the Newsboys act is fellow Aussie Paul Coleman has been added to the band. Coleman who hails from Melbourne needs no introduction to fans. He has been critically acclaimed as one of the world's best guitarists. His vocals are incredible. One can only assume that as a solo performer Coleman was finding it a tough go because as skills on both fronts never really got a chance to be front and center. Furler's putting his hand over Coleman's eyes and giving him a face wash during the middle of a song looked childish rather than coming off as some concert gimmick. One can only hope that Coleman soon tires of this gig and moves onto something that allows his skills to shine once again.
 
Many high profile artists have come through Toronto in the past few years. Usually they make time to sign autographs for their fans following the show however not even one Newsboy was sighted following the concert. 
 
Management might argue that a Newsboys' concert in St John New Brunswick the night before left the band members weary. The last time I checked Moore was on the same flight and his birth certificate says he is older than the any of the Newsboys. 
 
The Aussie band has given us a lot of good music over the years.  This correspondent would suggest however Newsboys don't come back to Toronto until they have something different to offer their fans.

By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved

Joe Montague is an internationally published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18. All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague.