I had the pleasure of seeing the Newsboys for the second time on June 28th 1998 in Krageroe, Norway at the Seaside Festival. Newsboys was the last band to perform at the festival and it had rained cats and dogs for two days! Unfortunately it was impossible for the 'boys to perform at the outdoor main-stage because the rain had created a huge pond in front of it. So they had to move the concert to a tent. The Newsboys got less room to move on but that didn't reduce them! The audience of about 2000 people waited patiently in almost one hour for them to get ready to perform. We (the audience) used the time to sing newsboys songs such as "Breakfast" and "Entertaining Angels".

Finally they were ready. Opening with the energetic super-hit "Not Ashamed" the Boys didn't let up for almost two hours! The concert featured mostly songs from Take Me To Your Leader and Going Public, but they also performed a couple songs from Not Ashamed. From their brand new release, Step Up To The Microphone they played the beautiful song "Entertaining Angels". Peter Furler, who has become the new lead singer after John James retired and moved back to Australia, reminded us that we entertain angels when we lead other people to Christ. The bassist, Phil Joel did a great lead vocal job on that song as well as on the groovy "WooHoo". Peter taught us the chorus and we sang as loud as we could. He wasn't really impressed though.

I think almost everyone waited for the song "Breakfast", so the disappointment was great when Phil (Joel) said it was too late for breakfast, sooner dinnertime. They performed another song, and then they left the stage! We screamed "We want more!" but it didn't seem like the Boys would return. We screamed louder and finally, after about 5 minutes, they returned! And yes, they played "Breakfast"! Peter was much more impressed by our signing on this song. We almost drowned his voice! Peter said some words about how wonderful it is being a Christian and live in God's grace, before they all left the stage. I hoped Peter would take a drum solo, but he didn't even touch the drums. It was impressive though, to hear Jody Davis sing lead vocals. He's actually pretty good!

The Newsboys are known as one of the best live acts around, and if you get a chance to catch them you will find out why.

The sun smiled at me when I got out of the tent! I bought Step Up To The Microphone and got their autographs on it. I also got a little chat with the 'boys. Jody asked me if this was the first time during the festival that the sun appeared and yes, it was.

Trygve Watne

Concert Date: June 26, '98