I am flying. Seat 28D feels painfully small. To my right there is a not so small middle-aged man napping in a flowery luau shirt. His glasses are slipping down his nose. To my left is an aisle. I must remember to keep my left elbow tucked closely against my body, for the flight attendants are moving quickly and are much too busy to be cautious about the occasional overhanging elbow. By the feel of them, their mobile drink stations seem to be made of reinforced titanium. The drink station is getting closer now. I am thirsty but the thought of managing a beverage in these close quarters always sounds like more work than it’s worth. I wonder if they serve yahoo. I decide to order a cup of cran-apple juice from Liz the stewardess, excuse me, the flight attendant. The only time I drink cran-apple juice is when I’m on a plane. When I am safe on the ground the juice never enters my thoughts. But here, in the sky, I crave it. I don’t know why. Maybe the sharp sweet and sourness of the drink is a refreshing change to the bland musk that fills my mouth from the recycled air of the overstuffed cabin. My juice is gone.
I have recently noticed that I am an ice-chewer. I love to feel it crunch between my teeth then swallow the cold slushy leftovers. I remember hearing once that ice chewing can become a real addiction. I don’t know if this is true, but I feel as though I have been told that there is something we get from chewing ice that we don’t get when simply drinking water. Research anyone? A young boy just grabbed my arm with both hands to steady himself from a small air jolt. I am bored.
The last two days I played at two different festivals. One was in Pennsylvania called Creation East. The other was in Dallas called Celebrate Freedom. I don’t know how many of you have gone to any Christian music festivals, they are, if anything, an interesting place to be. Let me begin by saying I am honored to have been asked to be apart of Creation and CF (Celebrate Freedom) along with the handful of others I am playing at this season, and I must say that they are a great way to get in front of a lot of people at one time. Summer Festivals are almost always outside. There is only one I have been to that wasn’t, which was in Scotland. As you probably deduced, summer festivals occur in the summer, which means summer festivals are hot and sweaty sort of things. Many times it rains as well, which turns them into hot and muddy sorts of things. For hours upon hours and sometimes days upon days a great slew of bands will mount any number of stages and offer their best slice of rock to a mass of eager hand-clappers and “whoop-whoopers”. But what I find more interesting than the music is what’s happening offstage. It’s the people themselves that seem to grab most of my attention. I am amazed by them.
For one, the sheer number can be staggering. But beyond that I think it’s the spirit of the crowd that is so intriguing, maybe even inspiring. The fact that so many would come together and brave the heat, muddy their clothes, sleep in tents, and still night by night fill the place with their voices is incredible to me. Though I would greatly prefer the smaller more intimate settings of an indoor venue, I have come to appreciate the festival for what it is in spite of the sweat. Viva La Festiva! By the way, have any of you heard the Coldplay record, “Viva La Vida or Death And All of His Friends” a lengthy title I know, but know with over ten solid listens under my belt I can safely say that I very much enjoy it. Thoughts?
So today I fly back to Southern California. I’m playing at the L.A. Convention Center with a band you may be familiar with called P.O.D. If I remember correctly, the letters stand for “Payable On Death”. If you have any other clever guesses at the mysterious meaning of the three letters please comment below. Phil Wickham and P.O.D., an interesting line up to be sure, but I am expecting a fun night. I’m thinking about writing a new bridge for Divine Romance so Sonny from P.O.D. can rap it during the show. Then we can close the song out with a scream off. I’ll try to get some pictures so I can share them with y’all here on the blog.
Lastly but not leastly, many of you have been asking about the live record that I recorded in May. For those of you who are not up to speed: I recorded a live show in Portland with me, my acoustic guitar, and about 2500 peeps singing out my songs and some hymns. It was a rad night of worship. We are currently editing it and making sure it’s ready to be listened to and soon…very soon, we will be making it available for free download here from this site. This week we’ll tell you all the exact date it’ll be available so stay tuned!!!!!! I am very excite!!! (said in high pitched middle eastern accent)
-phil
I love the Coldplay album but I really do not like the Viva track. I can’t even explain why! I guess I have bad taste or something because everyone loves it. Maybe I will change my mind later.
A friend was just there at Creation East (he is the co-founder of Rock For Life) and I had asked his wife (who is a good friend of mine) if he was going to see you play. I guess he did! I hope he did!
Phil,
I was at creation for the day when you played, and I thought you were amazing.
You truly bring people before the throne of God and lead them to worship Him. It was an honor to see someone thus anointed.
I hope to one day be able to say this in person.
PS- I feel your elbow pain.
that must have been the smallest of seats for YOU to feel cramped!
i was at CF to help with a non-profit group. i don’t understand how anyone could stand to be down there on that field. everyone looked so miserable. at least y’all had misters going over the stage. man, there were a lot of people po’d about crowder’s set getting cut short.
“I don’t wanna follow
Death and all his friends…”
on the ipod, taking a walk, nice and loud, good times
Ah! I was at the convention center! I took the picture w you on the hall… I wanted to ask you what happened w singing divine romance w p.o.d but I figured you were in a hurry, thanks for always being so nice tho!
Purple Orangutangs Dancing ^_^ That has to be it! ^_^ Great blog and I agree with Sara – you should write a book! ^_^ I haven’t heard the Coldplay record yet, but I look forward to it!
^_^
hahaha. phil, you are so funny. i got soo excited seeing that you made a blog.. and then i saw that it was really long and really funny…which made me smile lots
i would do anything to see this scream off tho… i hope there’s a video of this that we can see..haha. sounds like its going to be amazing!!
god bless,
amanda**
Yeah… I can totally relate to that crazy airplane experience. I usually have the aisle seat and I bring my own pillow so that’s where I lay my head in the danger zone to sleep. I should consider a helmet next time I sit in the aisle seat! They are merciless with those food and beverage carts and I’ve been hit a lot by them. They should have a first aid kit on board for cart injury damage.
Coldplays new album rocks and you are so lucky for getting to play with P.O.D.
Wow Phil, I loved your entry. I laughed, I cried; I cried because I was laughing so hard. You seem to be a very observant person. That’s awesome. I love how you write about exactly what’s going on in your surroundings and what you’re thinking. I felt like I was seeing things through your eyes. You’re a brilliant writer. I think we all realize that when we listen to your beautiful lyrics. Such passion. Can’t wait for the live record! Thanks for keeping us updated. I love your stories! God Bless.
P.S. I think the new Coldplay album is awesome!
Wow, in one blog post, you touched on several of my favorite things: cran-apple juice, Coldplay, and P.O.D. I, too, only drink cran-apple when I fly and I really look forward to it. And yes, I’ve been listening to the Coldplay CD, probably about 75 times by now, and it’s so great! And P.O.D., I love those guys! But what an interesting line-up………..
your small airplane memoir put a smile on my face…thanks.
and please do a scream off with p.o.d…and be certain to produce video for evidence. i’m pretty sure that would be beyond epic.
dude…the kid grabbing your arm made me laugh so hard!! i needed that! the new cold play record is amazing! why is everything ending in!!!! anyways its great and very inspiring especially the opening to the record and “viva la vida.” how can you not dance when you hear it? be safe. -Fish
Your writing is interesting. I like seeing into other peoples heads for a moment. We are all so similar. I have been on many flights and had the same thoughts rolling around in my head, but never put them down. Keep dialoging with yourself. BTW, the new Coldplay is wonderful!
wow!!! I bet its totally exciting to be up there with P.O.D. and I can’t wait for the download of the live record!
I think it’s great that you take time out to share with your fans (even if it is out of boredom :c))
You are a busy, busy guy this summer, but I so appreciate it because then I have more chances to see you live! Worship with others to your music, is an amazing experience.
And yes, Coldplay, the new CD is awesome. I’m excited…next month, I’m seeing them live. Yay!
lots of people very fun though. i always wondered if you liked big outdoor events. guess this states it out.
ha and i LOVE the accent!!
-elijah
POD:
Peeling Off Debris
Piling On Dustin
Prying Off Diaper
Picking Out Dishrags
Peeking Out Door
Painting Our Delorian
Playing Our Drums
Pounding on Ducks
um… it is pretty clear that you should write a book. Have you ever thought about it? If not, you should.
Oh … and like the nice little icon in the address bar. I love that picture.
Ice-chewing is addictive for sure. My PE class would get ice from the training room everyday after class. I think it is perfect because you trick your body into thinking you’re eating but it can’t upset your stomach.
Still looking forward to the CD release!! I’ve been mixing it up with some ” Give You My World” as of late.
Any chance you’ll be playing near LA in October??
I have also discovered that the compulsion to crunch ice is called Pagophobia and isactually a form of the disorder Pica which is an appetite for non-nutrional substances (paper, soil-who eats soil?!, ice etc). Something to do with it responding to iron supplementation. Anyway…you can read more about it on wikipedia…that site has everything…
That was a fun post! I LOVE the new Coldplay album too
I agree with Sara, you SHOULD write a book. I would definately read it. The way you write things…its like your thoughts straight onto the page. (I’m an English student so excuse the over-anaysis!)
I think I’m an addictive ice-cruncher as well! Whenever I go to Subway and get a drink, I always fill my cup like a quarter full and when I’ve finished drinking, I’ll crunch the ice! I love it!
I bought Viva La Vida for my Dad for Father’s Day. I really love it. I think my favourite tracks are definately the title track, Violet Hill and Lovers in Japan(?) Think that’s what its called. Anyways, I’ve been listening to it a lot and really love it.
P.O.D. Hmm…could be Passed Out Drunk…although I highly doubt it. Anyways…I pray God blesses you and P.O.D at your show. Take care.
Blessings
Faye x
That was fun to read :0)
Realizing that you are a very busy person traveling and concerts to play a blog to keep up etc… I have to say we (my family) sure appreciate your humble spirit.
The lessons you teach for others to play your music are sure appreciated too.
In the midst of the busy- ness of your life, it’s so awesome to see your passion for the Lord and sincerity towards others.
I can’t imagine how tired you must get at times with your busy schedule (excuse the mom’s point of view.. but that’s just me!) but I am sure God refreshes you and gives you strength.
Prayers & Blessings, Angela (Mom :0)
please write a book.