Keith and Kristyn Getty prone to be a sell-out on home soil
Keith and Kristyn Getty
KEITH and Kristyn Getty are returning home to Northern Ireland in June as part of their Northern Celtic Islands Tour.
The modern hymn-writing and recording couple have sold out their two original dates at the Waterfront Hall on June 1 and 2 and have announced a third. performance on May 31.
Keith and Kristyn are bringing their groundbreaking collection of critically acclaimed music to symphony halls across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England, joined by a variety of live choirs, including the New Irish Choir and Orchestra, the All Souls Choir and Orchestra and the New Scottish Choir and Orchestra.
Each of the tour's 10 performances will showcase a number of the Getty's musical friends, as well as award-winning musicians, mass choirs and orchestras, and a rare joint performance in Belfast with the couple's long standing friend and collaborator, Stuart Townend.
Keith said "The band accompanying us on tour features a group of highly acclaimed musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, creating an amazing fusion of our own special 'greengrass' music"
From the UK are guitarist Fionan de Barra (Broadway's Riverdance) and uilleann piper Patrick D'Arcy ("Snow White and the Huntsman"). From the US are guitarist Dave Cleveland (Miley Cyrus and Amy Grant), bluegrass instrumentalist Jeff Taylor (Elvis Costello and The Chieftains), and fiddler Ross Holmes (Mumford & Sons).
A defining mark of each Getty concert is the extent to which audience members join in worship. "Singing together strengthens the body of Christ," says Kristyn. "We're thrilled to join with these magnificent choirs and musicians with the hope of encouraging believers in their faith."
Additionally, the concert experience is unique as the music will continue in after-show performances. Band members plan to congregate in the lobbies and foyers of each concert hall to celebrate Celtic and American folk music into the night.
"These concerts are about bringing people together to sing to the God who created us," continued Keith. "All throughout Scripture we see the importance of offering our praise. The Psalms go so far as to command us to shout with joy to the Lord. That's what we're hoping to accomplish on each stop of this tour."
In addition to the performances of Getty/Townend favourites such as 'In Christ Alone', 'The Power of the Cross', and 'O Church Arise, the concerts for the first time will offer a preview of several new Getty/Townend hymns to be released on Keith and Kristyn's forthcoming 2012 album.
Since releasing their first album together in 2007, the Gettys have
endeavoured to create a new hymnody for the generations of people who
comprise the church. Described as 'singable theology', their songs blend
timeless truths with powerful melodies. The couple's 2011 US Christmas
tour
sold out to audiences across the country.
The Northern Celtic Islands Tour, partnering with Stand By Me
(formerly Kids Alive UK), and Biblica
begins in Liverpool May 30.
The Gettys also plan to visit cities in southern Ireland and the U.K. on their Southern Celtic Islands tour the following spring of 2013.
Ulster Star
13/04/2012
