I'm not sure I have fully grasped the news that Delirious? decided to retire in late 2009, after 17 years of making music and leading a worship movement.  If you think back to what praise music was in 1992 (think "Shine Jesus Shine" or "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise"), you can begin to understand the impact this rock band from England had on the worldwide church -- almost from the get go.  This week is the release of the DVD/CD Farewell Show: Live in London, celebrating the two things that make Delirious? most special, their magnetic live performance and their top-notch catalogue of songs.

In just the first 4 years of the band's existence, they wrote and released songs that were being sung around the globe (and likely will be for decades to come) -- songs like "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble", "Shout to the North", "I've Found Jesus", and the worship classic "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever."  For over a decade beyond that, they would add an amazing array of anthems, radio hits, and congregational songs -- like "Majesty", "Rain Down", "Deeper", "My Glorious", & their crowd-pleasing "History Maker."

Which all leads us to November 29, 2009.  After a farewell tour in the US & UK that Fall, it was on this date that Delirious? played their final concert at a sold-out Hammersmith Apollo in London.  They played for 3.5 hours that night, and much of it is now available for your listening and viewing pleasure.

Overall, I have to give this DVD some of my highest praise.  In the Christian music world, this is hands down the best full-length live concert video I have ever seen.  Everybody involved gets a pat on the back from me.  So allow me to start doling out some at-a-boys:

• The camera work was incredible -- I'm just guessing that it must have been a 7 or 8 camera shoot.  They didn't just give you the birdseye view (ala American Idol), but they had several camera shots from crowd level, really making you feel like you were there in person.
• The editing and directing were as high of quality as you would see for a concert video of a U2 or Madonna.  You were allowed to experience the event -- from the light show, to the expressions on the bands faces, to the emotion of a crowd in genuine worship.  Kudos to this team for catching a true highlight moment of a fan literally standing on the shoulders of the crowd, and the band just thinking it was hilarious.  Martin Smith (lead singer) later in the concert gave his trademark megaphone to that very fan.  They did a great job capturing that moment, and made the right call to keep that in the final product.
• The sound engineers were out of this world!  I have a critical ear, and I could not hear one audio mistake.  Recording a live concert in a large venue is no small feat.  There was not one awkward feedback squeal, one poorly mixed vocal, or one hint of audio distortion.
• The band performed their hearts out and were as tight as you can possibly be.  These live songs are performed so well, that on the audio CD you forget you're listening to live recordings.  They are choosing to leave on top, and this DVD shows that they are clearly at the top of their game.

I have very little negative criticism of the DVD, but I do have these teensy-weensy minor points worth noting:

• The filming was done very artistically, which I appreciate.  There were just a few random shots that felt a little out of place -- even when looking through an artistic lens.
• I overall liked the fast-paced nature of the production, but some of the editing at times was a bit trigger happy.  Sometimes sticking with one shot for longer is what works best.
• While of course the focus needs to be on the band, the production could have used more crowd shots -- more individuals singing along, worshipping, showing emotion at the farewell.

The most important element was catching the emotion of this legendary band saying their thanks and farewell.  There was a lot of emotion in those moments, and this DVD captured them amazingly.  If you are a die-hard or even just a casual fan of Delirious?, this DVD will leave you with a deeper appreciation for one of the greatest bands of our generation.  I can easily award Farewell Show: Live in London an A+.  In the Christian music industry, this DVD has set the bar as the new standard of excellence in live concert video.


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written by Dave Trout