Eventually the gig started with All Shadtar United taking the stage. The audience definitely come to see Delirious? but nevertheless All Star United managed to engage with the audience from about the second
song in.

The music was simple, uncomplicated pop with over-driven guitars, but resonated well with the teeny-boppy crowd. All Star United's strength is their lyrics. Their catchy choruses are fantastic for live performances and getting the audience to sing along while the deep thoughtful slightly surreal verses make their albums worth buying.

After a short break Delirious? came to the stage and were fantastic. They managed to blend a confusion of rock and worship music into melodious harmony,
although at times you wondered whether you were in a church or a rock concert. The strength of Delirious? is in their tunes. They are all great musicians and manage to get the audience singing most of the time whether they know the songs or not.

They connected well with the crowd engaging with them emotionally and spiritually, creating an atmosphere of invitation where the
crowd were no longer just listening, but taking part.

Delirious? often seen to want to emulate U2.
Their music is pretty similar, but Delirious? are much more one dimensional. Unlike U2, Delirious? don't engage with the pain society feels and instead provide an escape from reality into the world of dreams. U2 use words like Psalm 40, to cry out "How long
to sing this song?" Maybe this is why the gig was so young, once life hits you in the stomach, happy clappy Christianity doesn't always make a lot of sense.

My main criticism with the gig would have to be the venue. If Delirious? are seriously trying to engage with an audience other than 11-14 years-old, they need to play somewhere other than a teetotal church building where self-important over-bossy teenagers in fluorescent yellow jackets sell you cans of coke, and close the "bar" as soon as the band starts playing.

Arriving at the gig straight from work I was wanting to relax and have a quiet drink, this wasn't what I got. Although great for teenagers struggling with their faith, if Delirious? want to break out from Christian circles and keep fans beyond the age of 20 maybe their
next tour needs a bit of a rethink. God isn't limited to churches, so come back to Bradford, and try St George's Concert Hall, Bradford University or maybe Rio's, and as Martin mentioned at the gig, Valley
Parade is up for sale...

Joanna Brain May 2002

Comments on this article

While I agree with Joanna's review of All Star United's performance, I am a lot more positive about Delirious. The music was absolutely fantastic, their manner of performing really engaged the crowd and drew us nearer. I personally would say that the music is superior to U2, and Delirious have lyrics which state "How long do we have to wait?"

I would say that a lot of their music does indeed engage with a typical adult's experience of life, talking of our needs and fears, and even with a few love songs thrown in. Some of the songs were brought to life at the gig on Wednesday, and lines I once struggled to understand what they were trying to say, spoke loud and clear and I could agree with the sentiment. However, the songs also remind us of the hope we have, pointing to Jesus.

What more could one want than a band that reminds us that all is not lost? My criticism would be of the venue too, but merely that the stage was too low - if you were any more than 5 people back from the stage it was a struggle to see any band member's head, let alone the rest of the person. Well done Delirious, brilliant performance, first rate gig. (Angie - West Yorkshire)

Well what can I say, I had read all the promo material for the tour and had heard that it was going to the the best ever with new videos and a very refined performance. I'm not saying that I didn't believe this but i know that every time I see them they are fantastic and so was sure that this tour would be just as good as all the others, but I was wrong, the gig in Bradford last night WAS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!! All that is left to say is that you, the music and the place was definitely on FIRE last night and I could feel the rain pouring down. Now all I can do is look foward to Leicester next week. (Lizzie, Bradford)

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