I usually have a full post about LifeLight but, really, there is only one band that I really want to talk about. And that's [Reilly][].

We were sitting around on campsite on Saturday morning and, while looking at the schedule, there was a band that was playing on the something like "alt-rock anthems with violins". Well, that sounded at least interesting. I said I was going to go. Gina, Leah, and our sister-in-law said they would come along, and a couple more people said they would come in a little while.

We got their early, so we sat and watched them to their sound checks, etc. We heard them sing and play the violin and our eyes got wide. Gina and I looked at each other and one of us said, "Um, these guys are going to be good." We looked over at our sister-in-law (who also had wide eyes ) and we said, "Call the other two and tell them to get over here!"

And then they started -- and Reilly didn't disappoint. In fact, they exceeded our expectations even from the warm-up. Not only were their songs full of great lyrics, they are fantastic musicians and had a wonderful stage presence. This is not what you expect first thing on Saturday morning on the third stage! For a taste of what we saw, [see this video on their blog.][]

At the end of the show, they reminded us they were playing on Sunday at 6pm and said that they were going to add a couple songs and that they hoped they would be there. Our group all agreed that we wouldn't miss it. And that this was probably the best show we had ever seen in our years of coming to LifeLight.

One thing that's cool about a music festival is that you can bump into some of the musicians. I talked to Matthew at the booth when we were buying a CD (which we never do at LifeLight but we wanted to show our support). I also ran into John randomly by the restrooms and saw Noele at another band's performance later that night. I made a point to tell all three the same thing -- they were fantastic and, yes, I was going to seen them again.

Sometime during the festival, my brother-in-law and I were talking about a band we were listening to on the main stage and we were both liking them. I asked him, "Do you think it's better than Reilly?" He said, "You can't be better than the best." And that pretty much sums it up.

For the Sunday night performance, I went early to squat on some seats, figuring that word got out. And it was a good decision. The first show had around 500 to maybe 1000 people there. Gina and I estimated there were around 3,000 people at this show and at least 20 people deep along the edge of the tent. I could tell the band was a bit nervous when they started, but the crowd was ready to explode. Heck, we even clapped during their warm-ups! But when they started play, they fed off the energy of the crowd and had a better show than the first one! Sure it was mostly the same songs, but they put more heart and soul into the music. One of the songs they added was the most worshipful yet rocking version of "[Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus"][]I've ever heard -- or sang. So now that was the best show we had ever seen at LifeLight!

Apparently they filled in for another band on the Coffeehouse Stage between their first and last performance. Not catching that scheduled performance is one regret I have of the whole festival.

So, yes, see [Reilly][]and by their music. If they are scheduled to be close to you, go! You won't be disappointed.

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