Preview: Phil Wickham
September 3, 2018
Written By: Erin Diaz
Hailing from San Diego, California, Contemporary Christian Musician Phil Wickham kicked off his music career by releasing his first album Give You My World in 2003. Within just a few years, Wickham was on tour with MercyMe and Audio Adrenaline, proving how quickly he became influential in the Christian music world. In 2007, he released the album Cannons, which is probably the one you know most songs from (such as “You’re Beautiful” and “Cannons”). The album was inspired by The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, and it seems to continue to be a foundational album to the CCM industry today.
For me, it’s difficult to imagine my formative years as a Christian without Phil Wickham’s music. His music seemed to be omnipresent to me in high school, especially in the years of 2010-12. As an employee at a local Chick-Fil-A, I would package meals for people with Wickham’s “Divine Romance” playing over the speakers. I then would drive to my youth group, usually playing Christian radio, usually hearing something from Wickham on my quick drive. When at church, one of his songs were performed at least weekly. Wickham was a big part of my life back then, as he was for many. If we took a poll at Liberty asking how many people have cherished at least one of Wickham’s songs in their life, we’re sure that there would be no shortage of students and staff answering “yes”.
Something that can be said about Wickham is that his music is genuine, poignant, and sometimes overwhelming in the way that can trigger emotions and tug on heartstrings. In an interview with Christianity Today, it is stated that Wickham commented that Cannons is “about how the universe is exploding with the glory of God, and how we are compelled to join in with its song”. This is an example that Wickham’s music is not always the light, airy type that we often hear on Christian music radio. His music pushes deeper, begging the soul to tune in and be a part of worship to our Holy God.
We feel confident that September 21 is going to be an important evening at Liberty. Wickham will be performing in the Concert Hall, and has just released his album Living Hope, this is a show you won’t want to miss. And did we mention that LU Praise is opening up the show? For more info, visit our music page – we can’t wait to be a part of this with you.
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