For King & Country Brings “A Drummer Boy Christmas” to Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois [Photos]

It was a cold Chicago night as the masses flooded into the Rosemont Theater for the For King & Country Christmas show. Spirits were high as they waited anxiously for the lights to dim and the first notes of the sounds of Christmas to be played.

The lights dimmed, and the first strands of “In the Bleak Midwinter” began to fill the theatre. Starting out somber and introspective gave way to light and hope, and “Joy to the World,” the band’s joyous and exuberant tune, exploded across the venue.

For King & Country had taken the last year off to focus on writing new music and their film endeavours, but one would not believe they hadn’t played together in a year by the pure musicianship and energy that radiated off the stage. They were in sync and brought that high energy and dynamic performance we’ve all grown to love.

They had the ability to weave the melodic with the energetic and the pensive with the entertaining, but nothing remains in question about the zeal for people and the music. The classic “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has haunting guitars and lilting vocals. “Glorious” takes the audience to new heights, and if you aren’t as into the Christmas tunes, they do a fantastic job of interweaving some of their favourites throughout, like “Unsung Hero,” “Burn the Ships,” and “Together.”

The second half of the show is less of Christmas music, but not diminished in energy. They play their new track, “World on Fire,” which is sure to get crowds up and dancing, but what is even more impactful about the song is the story from which it was written, two English martyrs for their faith.

The night turns softer with melodic tracks like “Silent Night,” “Shoulders,” and “Heavenly Hosts,” but it wouldn’t be a For King & Country Christmas Tour without the mainstay, “Little Drummer Boy.” A rousing fan favourite that is as energetic on stage as it is listening to, brought the crowd to its feet. The audience was able to see Luke and his son Phoenix, suspended above the stage as a father-son, drumming duo, while Joel was on the large bass drum.

The crowd left energized and excited for more to come out of For King & Country this year as they release music and new films. They were buzzing from the joy that filled the room, and many exclamations of they wish they could see it all over again!