Aizawl, Dec. 5: The Mizoram capital was ?rocked? last night by a blast of a different kind ? at the state?s largest music concert ever.
The event: a performance by Petra, a US rock band that spreads the message of the Gospel. Quite appropriately, the word petra, derived from Greek, itself means ?rock?.
There was a 20,000-strong crowd at the AR Ground while many more fans thronged Zodin Square and Canteen Square outside the venue.
?I have never seen such a huge crowd at any concert in Aizawl,? remarked a 56-year-old concert-goer. He added that he could not follow any of the Petra lyrics, but he just did not want to miss out on the international show.
The opening act was performed by Harvest Ministries band, Petra?s guest artiste Abner Pedro Ramirez and TNT?s ?two young ladies?.
Two popular numbers, Go Light Your Candle and Four Days Late, rendered by the two girls, were particularly heartwarming.
At 6 pm came the announcement: ?From the US, here comes Petra.?
And along came vocalist John Schlitt, guitarist Bob Hartman, bassist Greg Bailey and drummer Paul Simmons, the real Petra, on the amazingly lit stage.
Then the real head-banging and heart-throbbing rock concert began under the starry December night.
?It?s hard to believe! I feel like I?m in a US city,? a teenage girl screamed.
The audience, old and young alike, swayed to the powerful tunes of Petra?s numbers, from Just Reach Out to Destiny, rendered by four perfectly synchronised members.
In between the songs, John Schlitt remembered to deliver short messages of the Gospel. Bob Hartman presented his testimony and a short prayer, enthusiastically ?amened? by the audience.
In a news conference earlier, John had said they were not seeking glory for Petra but an opportunity to spread the Gospel, adding that the objective behind the band?s formation was to reach out to those who had strayed away from the churches.
But the much-awaited show lasted only one-and-a-half hours, which left the audience disappointed.
?I bought a ticket for a very high price. I?m not satisfied with a one-and-a-half hour show,? a disgruntled concert-goer complained.
