In four days, Michael Tait will lead the Newsboys to the First Financial Hall stage with their legendary Christian rock music.
The 32-year-old Australian-founded band will bring its positive music to El Dorado for the first time Oct. 18.
“We’re inundated by so much stuff, so many people are hearing so much darkness that when light comes in the form of music — both positive lyrics or uplifting songs — people get excited and their drawn to it like moths to the flame because it’s so different,” Tait said.
"Tait, who joined the Newsboys in 2009, is one of the founding members of legendary Christian rock band DC Talk. He said he likes to address social ills, the breakdown of communication between people, the lack of love for one another, and the importance of the vertical being in place before the horizontal can work.
“If we’re not tuned in with God, then we can’t go to the left or the right of us to bless other people,” Tait said.
The Newsboys will be joined by Kevin Max, who was in DC Talk with Tait and Toby McKeehan (now more commonly known as TobyMac).
Tait said he loves working with Max and that he is his favorite person to sing with on the planet.
“Our voices are married, husband and wife,” Tait said.
And this won’t be the last time Tait and Max share the same stage. DC Talk is planning a 2020 tour.
“That’s a fact,” Tait said.
The Newsboys will perform their United Concert in El Dorado. Tait said he hopes the community comes out and realizes that God is not dead.
“God is in control, we believe it, we sing about it,” Tait said. “We can easily get caught up in this present darkness, but we’ve got to keep our eyes on the prize, which is God’s Kingdom coming to Earth. God being God in us through our fingers, through our voices, through whatever we are. If we’re doctors, if we’re trashmen, if we’re nurses, if we’re moms, dads — we have a mission and it’s not to build our kingdoms on this planet.”
Tickets are still on sale for the 7 p.m. show. Week-of prices are as listed:
— Golden Circle: $55
— Orchestra: $45
— Mid section: $40
— Rear section: $35
Group discounts are available for purchases of four to 10 tickets, with a 10% discount on four tickets and a 15% discount on 10 tickets. Those interested should call 870-444-3007.
The concert start at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at the Murphy Arts District's First Financial Music Hall located at 101 E. Locust St.
Managing editor Caleb Slinkard contributed to this report.