UMW Exclusive: Bimray Gospel Festival 2015 review

When I heard the news that Michelle was coming back to Europe, I knew I had to be there to see her live. So I booked my tickets to the Bimray Gospel Festival immediately – two months later here I am in Amsterdam, Netherlands standing in front row.

The atmosphere in the Heineken Music Hall was incredible. Minutes before Michelle came to the stage, the Soul Brothers and Fabian Willems warmed up the audience with their joyful performances.

When the host finally announced the leading star of the night the crowd went wild. Michelle entered the stage and launched with “Watch Me Praise Him“. The crowd chanted “I – don’t – know what you come to do“, whenever Michelle pointed her microphone to them.

Michelle and her live band followed with a little throwback to “Purpose In Your Storm” from the “Do You Know”-album. She told us that whenever you have a tough time remember everything’s going to be alright. These words touched my heart.

One of the highlights of the set was “Heard A Word“, her solo debut single. Michelle reacted to the fans singing the lyrics: “You know the song!”. She then changed the line to “I heard a word, saying boy you’ll be fine” to include the men as well. To Michelle’s surprise the fans then changed the line to “I heard a word, Michelle, you’ll be fine“. She said: “I keep hearing ‘Michelle’” and pulled out her ear plug to listen. Michelle was humbled. The crowd then participated by singing the la-la-la adlibs.

A beautiful christmas medley that featured “Gloria in excelsis deo”, got the entire audience in the Christmas mood. Michelle also likes to talk to the fans, so she asked us how to pronounce “stroopwafels” correctly. She loves Dutch waffles, she mentioned.

Another opportunity for the audience to participate was the great Destiny’s Child medley: “I’m living, I’m able, I’m breathing, I’m grateful to put on my happy face“. “Happy Face” then lead to the empowering “Survivor“: “After all of the darkness and sadness, Still comes happiness, If I surround myself with positive things, I’ll gain prosperity.”
The crowd felt the message and were pumping their fists in the air to tell Michelle ‘Yes, I have overcome bad times. I’m better than that. I made it. I can survive. We can survive’.

“Believe In Me” was another highlight of the show. Michelle went down to the audience to get her message across. She then surprisingly walked through the crowd, with security of course. A great moment for the fans to be so upclose and personal and very brave of her.

Michelle ended the show on a high note with her hit song “Say Yes” and her Bimray choir, participants of a workshop, which took place earlier that day. Everybody sang their hearts out and danced to “When Jesus Say Yes Nobody Can Say No. When Jesus lifts you Up, Nobody puts you Down.”

The show was amazing. Michelle and her band captivated the audience. I enjoyed myself and the entire show. So did everybody else in the audience. You could feel the love and connection between Michelle and her fans.

Thank you, Michelle. Dank je wel, BimRay Gospel Festival.
A night I will never forget.