Hillsong on a high after first sell-out US tour

Following the June 29 release of its widely acclaimed 20th recording, A Beautiful Exchange, which made its debut at No 1 on several retail charts and No 40 on the Billboard Top 200, Hillsong LIVE launched its highly anticipated tour of the U.S. July 21 and traveled to 12 major markets before culminating the tour Aug. 5 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

Averaging nearly 4,000 people per market, every venue sold out and the tour drew feature coverage from CNN, Dallas Morning News, CBN and many other regional and national publications across the country.

Reuben Morgan, writer of the current No 1 song at Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), “Mighty To Save”, was leading his first Hillsong LIVE tour of the US.

He said, “We have really been overwhelmed at the response. Every night of worship has been unique and inspiring. It has been amazing to see everyone and hear them joining in with us to sing praise to God each night of the tour.”

Peter York, EMI CMG Label Group President: “After experiencing the Hillsong Live tour in Atlanta, I was so inspired having participated in an incredible evening of worship framed with compelling songs that have circled the globe.

“For myself, and the whole team at EMI CMG involved in supporting the tour and the group, we are humbled and inspired to continue to help grow the impact of the songs of Hillsong LIVE around the world.”

Promoting the Hillsong LIVE with Reuben Morgan tour in eight of the 12 markets, Premier Productions offered tickets on sale to the public beginning June 4 and quickly gathered tens of thousands of tickets sold sparking a second concert added at the 2,300-seat Club Nokia, both of which sold out long before the events happened this week.

A post-tour video blog can be found at: vimeo.com/14078547

“This Hillsong LIVE tour has been nothing short of amazing,” reflects Shane Quick, Premier Productions coowner.

“People young and old from coast to coast standing in long lines, singing to the top of their lungs was the norm. I believe Hillsong is at the beginning of a worldwide worship phenomenon. Their heart for the local church body and desire to see people connect in worship is life changing.”

Each year Hillsong Church, one of the world’s fastest-growing evangelical ministries, records songs from its worship community around the world that have resonated with the church throughout the year. Recorded live Nov. 8 along with thousands of worshippers gathered together in the Sydney Entertainment Centre and led by worship leaders Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech and Jad Gillies, among others, Hillsong LIVE’s A Beautiful Exchange is the first release of brand new songs in the alliance announced earlier this year with EMI Christian Music Group. Known for such worldwide worship anthems as “Shout To The Lord,” “Mighty To Save,” “My Hope,” “From the Inside Out,” “Hosanna” and many more, Hillsong LIVE’s A Beautiful Exchange explores themes of sacrifice and redemption in the title track, extraordinary love in “Our God Is Love,” and features songs of hope, reconciliation and praise.

“This is Hillsong Church coming together from all over Sydney to celebrate, to pray, to seek God,” says Morgan. “We just press record. This is not about an album. This is really about a church, a family truly seeking God together…A Beautiful Exchange is a picture of that.”

In addition to the CD, A Beautiful Exchange is featured on DVD along with a “Behind The Scenes” documentary and subtitles in 11 languages, reflecting the worldwide reach of Hillsong LIVE. The Special Edition DVD further features five bonus recordings from Hillsong London.

Singing new songs from the album and congregational favorites spanning 20 recordings, the Hillsong LIVE with Reuben Morgan tour itinerary follows: