TobyMac & friends uplift fans in Fort Wayne, Indiana

What better way to start off the year than with a concert with artists you grew up with? I talk to friends all the time about their bands that bring them nostalgic memories; this time, it’s my turn — and all the artists I would mention were part of the 2026 Hits Deep Tour in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jeremy Camp was the first artist onstage and, having just seen him open for Skillet a few months ago, I already knew he was going to kill it. He opened with a dramatic red countdown timer that built tension and anticipation. When the timer ended and he ran onstage, smoke and pyro effects went off. Jeremy spun around with this visible joy, almost like he was basking in the presence of the Lord, completely energized and happy. He opened with “These Days” and then moved straight into “Word of Life” and “Dead Man Walking”. One of the coolest moments of his set happened during “Dead Man Walking”, when Jeremy Camp brought a young girl up from the crowd named Kendall: he handed her a guitar and let her rock out during the solo. Afterward, he gave her the guitar making the experience even sweeter.

Later in the set, he transitioned into “Worthy of It All” to worship the Lord with the crowd.

Jeremy also played “Getting Started”, reminding the audience that they are not alone in their struggles. He invited anyone who has struggled with anxiety or felt like they ‘don’t belong’ to turn on their phone flashlights, filling the room with light. After that, he walked around the perimeter of the arena singing and exchanging high-fives with the crowd. Toward the end of the set, he encouraged everyone to throw up their rock fists and make their best “rock face” — the classic stank face that says ‘yeah, this song slaps’, ultimately ending his performance with “No Survivors”.

The next artist was Crowder. I had never seen him perform solo before, only as part of the David Crowder Band, so I was excited going into his set. His music is aggressive, gritty, and ‘yeehaw’ in the best way possible. Like Jeremy, he covered a worship song, this one being “Glorious Day”. I couldn’t help but sing and dance with everyone and celebrate the goodness of the Lord. What stood out to me most was his sound: it wasn’t just heavy or rough; it carried a dramatic weight that elevated the entire performance. That feeling was driven home by the full choir standing behind him, which added a powerful, almost cinematic layer to the set. It was incredibly effective and, honestly, just really cool to experience live… especially with the song “Even in EXILE”. That song absolutely fired me up; anytime Revelation 19 is referenced, I’m all in. Just read that section of the Bible and you’ll understand why. Jesus comes back in all his glory!

What’s not to be excited about?

The final artist of the night was TobyMac, one of the most iconic CCM artists in the genre. I grew up listening to his music, so I was genuinely excited to see him perform again after so many years. As per usual, TobyMac went all-out with fancy lighting, backup dancers, and a fully produced stage show — he does the whole shebang. I’ve always associated Toby with rock, hip hop, and urban influences, but this set leaned more into pop and R&B, which was more chill. It was different from what I remembered, but in a really interesting way. During “Move”, there was an extended trumpet solo; at another point in the set, TobyMac shared a personal story about the loss of his son. He used that story to explain how relationships, especially our relationship with Christ, require communication. He spoke honestly about when he wasn’t talking to God and how, without that communication, the relationship felt distant. Eventually, he said he returned to Scripture and began talking to God again, using it as a reminder that a relationship with Christ works the same way any relationship does — both sides must engage.

Despite his sound different than his previous works, TobyMac didn’t forget the classics. He performed a slower, more stripped-down version of “Lose My Soul” and included a mashup of older favorites like “Funky Jesus Music”. He also performed a reimagined version of “Jesus Freak”, trying to honor his legacy while fitting as much of his catalog as possible into the set. One of the coolest moments came during “Till the Day I Die”, when giant white flags were waved across the stage, representing how us Christ followers will always wave our banners high. He even performed NF’s rap verse, adding rock elements that gave the song a fun, new energy. Throughout the set, TobyMac consistently reworked familiar songs… adjusting arrangements, adding new solos, and shifting perspectives… to make them feel fresh.

During the final song, confetti filled the air and TobyMac and the band gave it their all.

One thing I’ve always loved about attending Christian concerts, especially this one, is that people aren’t just singing along out of nostalgia. Even though these bands are incredibly iconic, what truly stands out to me is how each artist incorporates moments of worship, which always redirects the focus back to the One who gave them their talent, their lives, and their purpose: God. It was beautiful to watch people sing, dance, and raise their hands in worship of the one true King this night; you could feel joy and unity in the room. I even spoke with someone who wasn’t a believer, who shared that he loves coming to Christian shows because they’re so uplifting. And, honestly, he’s right. When it comes to Christian artists, especially those on this night in Fort Wayne, it’s almost impossible not to feel uplifted. I’m so grateful I got to step away from everyday life for a night to worship alongside fellow believers and hear songs and voices that have been part of my life for years. If you feel like your life is spiraling, I recommend seeing this tour — or any Christian show.

Photography by Kayla N. Rising

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