Gungor: Langley, BC

You know not to put things in boxes, but don't even settle for open boxes. Get rid of all of the boxes. None of them are big enough, nor ever will be. Then brace yourself. Brace yourself as you and God's universe explode all over each other.

Gungor are wave-makers. Besides mastering jazz, gospel, and rock, and besides the blistering guitar solos that Michael can execute on both electric and acoustic; besides all that, there is a band whose core is humble, prayerful, and invitational. Their "liturgical post-rock" may be a little out of the ordinary for those who attend concerts to "observe". Participation is the appropriate modus operandi here. Lyrics placed tastefully to the side of the moving pictures on a big screen behind them to encourage sing-along, this event was billed as a concert - but in the same way that all of creation is a concert, groaning in expectation of Heaven arriving. Experientially, the concert was a signpost, pointing -upwards, outwards, and inwards- towards God. Gungor encourages us to see that God is simply bigger -much bigger- than we can even comprehend. We are led into worship and we are challenged to seek to see the world with God's eyes.

Gungor's art is honest. They are amazing musicians - no understatement; People literally left the concert shaking their heads in astonishment. As Christians, their desire and dedication to re-presenting God to the world in humility, love, and creativity is absolutely apparent. After the show, they came and wandered amongst those of us milling about, conversing and thanking us for coming.

Preceded by the amazing and sincere Lance Odegaard (see video below), Gungor honoured us with their presence on June 4, 2011 at North Langley Community Church. We were wowed and inspired. I pray that their creativity, openness, and invitationalism would infect us all, and if the band is reading this, I ask you to pray for us to catch more of what is on your heart. Please come back soon!

Lance Odegaard


Memorable moments from the show included the astonishing jams and improvisations that proved that Gungor are even better live than on album. Since Michael and Lisa have a background in jazz, there were some deliciously tasty jazz licks and solos.


The sound, as I described in my album review of "Beautiful Things" last year, was powerful in quiescence as well as in the sonic mountains formed by the seven-piece group. While most people remained seated back away from the stage, there were some of us who wanted to participate in greater proximity. But three quarters of the way through the show, we were shown up, as usual, by two children; one little princess and one very smart-looking lad, who went up and lay down at the front of the stage on the steps. They just slumped there and lay down, perfectly carefree, restful, and bold for innocence.

You can see them here in "We Will Run To You", and you can hear the crowd joining in:

Part 1


Part 2


Surrounded by a variety of mostly church-going, mostly conservative folk, I wondered how the crowd would respond to Gungor's unusual creativity. Personally hoping for a big dance party as we celebrate freedom in Christ, the dance party didn't happen. However, worship definitely did. (Here is the part where we reflect upon God being big and meeting us each personally.) The crowd was drawn into Gungor's vision where art is sacred, and I know that many people were powerfully moved during the concert. There are aspects to Gungor's music that are somewhat familiar yet largely foreign to the average evangelical: for example, their recognition of liturgy as a unifying force in worship, but most of all, probably, their refusal to be constrained by any genre, label, or setting.

We need more artists inspired in such ways to re-present God.

Gungor are deeply refreshing and powerfully creative. I know that they have been anointed and sent out by God for such a time as this, where He is "making all things new" in unbelievable ways all across the globe. As they say, "Love is breaking out", and "the ground is shaking".

There were some incredible moments that never made it to film, including Lisa and Michael performing a mind-blowing jazz/soul piece and the band doing several improvised jams, which I just had to enjoy rather than camera-watch. If you don't forgive me, then you really should have been there - go see Gungor in concert soon!