Unable to perform in arenas due to the pandemic, some of the most well-known names in Christian music have found an alternate way to tour this summer while letting fans socially distance: singing outdoors at drive-in theaters.
TobyMac embarked on a drive-in theater tour June 25 in Watertown, Tenn., while Casting Crowns will begin its own drive-in theater tour in Fayetteville, Ark., July 15. Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Mac Powell are joining together on their own drive-in-theater tour starting July 16 in Watertown.
All the concert tours involve multiple cities and are produced by Awakening Events. Tickets are sold on a per-car load basis (up to 6 people), and the concerts will comply with local COVID-19 restrictions.
The drive-in theater tours give fans a rare opportunity to watch live music during a time when most traditional arena-based tours have been canceled.
“We’re excited that we’ve developed a way for our fans to safely come together and enjoy live music again,” said Curtis Pinkerton, director of marketing for Awakening Events. “In the climate of today we need more positivity in the world, and we take great pride in being able to offer some of that positivity safely.”
Smith, in a statement, said he’s “excited about the uniqueness of the Drive-In settings.”
“I think it will be something we always remember about this time, what a unique opportunity we have to make history here. I can’t wait to hang with my friends Steven Curtis Chapman, and Mac Powell,” Smith said.
Said Mark Hall, lead vocalist of Casting Crowns, “We are excited for the opportunity to get out and play some shows in a safe environment. I think on a lot of levels families need this right now. We pray these nights will offer people hope.”
The tours are supported by K-Love, AiR1 Radio, Food for the Hungry and Altrua HealthShare.
Visit DriveInTheaterTour.com.
Photo courtesy: Awakening Events
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
