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Delirious? 2006 - Review of the Year (Delirious.org.uk)
Last modified: 29 Dec 2006

Source: Delirious.org.uk
Author: Dave Wood
Date: 29 Dec 2006

2006 was definitely the year of travel for Delirious? Less than two weeks into they year Delirious? headed to India for the first time with US evangelist Joyce Meyer to lead worship for 1.2 million people over the four days of an event in Hyderabad. Not a bad way to start a year which would see them perform over 90 concerts in 24 different countries!

Before January was over, the band were back on a plane, this time for a seven date tour of Australasia and Asia. The tour started with a performance at New Zealand's Parachute Festival, which would later be captured on the Parachute Festival Live DVD. From there they traveled to Australia for a couple of dates before dropping in on Asia on the way home. The stop-off included first time concerts in Malaysia and Indonesia, plus another visit to Singapore.

In March Delirious? lead singer Martin Smith gave what was described as his most revealing interview ever to Cross Rhythms, in which he talked candidly about music, money and the accident that nearly cost him his life. March also gave UK fans their first glimpse of the band this year, with the 5 date Paint The Town UK Tour 2006. Many dates sold-out, and the concert in Norwich had to be hastily moved to a new venue after it was destroyed by fire just a few weeks before the band were due to perform there.

The remainder of March, and much of April were taken up with a major 13-city US Tour. April also brought the news that Delirious? had won a Dove Award for their contribution to the Music Inspired By Narnia album.

May was another busy month of travel for Delirious? as they darted around the world with concerts in five different countries. There was a concert at New York's famed Times Square, a performance at the No Turning Back event in London's historic Royal Albert Hall, plus a short European Festival Tour with visits to Croatia, Germany and Switzerland. As if that wasn't enough, Martin and Stu G also visited Rwanda in May as part of the 'Hope: Rwanda 100 Days of Hope' initiative. Somehow, in between everything else that was going on, Stu G also managed to find time to appear on the new Hillsong London CD, released in May, and would later in the year collaborate with Tim Hughes and Graham Kendrick on their new albums.

The news that every Delirious? fan had been awaiting for years finally came in June, as Delirious? recorded a live DVD in Chicago. Having first warmed up with a performance at Scotland's Frenzy Festival, the band headed state-side to shoot their first ever full length live concert DVD, making use of the extensive experience and facilities at Willow Creek Church.

Still not content with the 40-plus concerts they'd clocked up by the half way point in 2006, Delirious? added to their air-miles with a second visit to Australia in July for the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. This was followed by a Central European Tour with concerts in Ukraine, Latvia and the Czech Republic. There was also a performance at the Calling All Nations event at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Delirious? then managed to squeeze in another US Tour with four concerts in Texas and another in Oklahoma.

While most of the band took time off in August to relax, drummer Stew Smith took part in a 140-mile Ironman Triathlon, raising more than £5000 for charity. By September it was back to business as usual, as Delirious? began their first ever South American Tour, visiting Colombia, Brazil and Argentina.

The highly anticipated Now Is The Time - Live At Willow Creek was released in October, featuring a stunning concert DVD and audio CD, with plenty of behind the scenes footage. It was also a special month for Delirious? fans Clare and Tom, who got married having originally got to know each other on Delirious.org.uk and met at a Delirious? concert. The band marked the special occasion with cards sent to the happy couple on their big day.

October also saw fans flocking to buy tickets for the Mission Bell UK Tour that kicked off with a sold-out concert at the Southampton Guildhall. The 13-date tour, with support from the excellent Tim Hughes, highlighted the best songs from The Mission Bell and featured some stunning visuals. Since the tour bus and lorry were already loaded, the band decided to continue the tour into mainland Europe in November with a further 13 dates covering Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Austria and France.

Delirious? rounded off the year with their traditional Christmas Show in London, the eighth year in a row that it had taken place. Having spent most of 2006 on the road, plans are now in place for the band to spend large parts of 2007 in the recording studio, putting together the follow up to last years The Mission Bell album. But don't expect Delirious? to stay cooped up inside for 12 months. They may not exceed 2006's record-breaking number of concerts played or countries visited, but they already have plans for three trips to Singapore, four concerts in India, a large US Spring Tour with Rebecca St James and at least a handful of events around the UK. Some people just don't know how to stay put, do they?





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