Kirk Franklin performs at The Reunion Tour at UIC’s Credit Union 1 Arena (Photo Credit: Instagram).
The Credit Union 1 Arena at the University of Illinois at Chicago is the school’s home for basketball, but on Friday (Sept. 20th), the venue was transformed into a place of worship as gospel music lovers gathered to see Kirk Franklin’s Reunion tour.
Alongside Franklin, the tour was a gospel palooza featuring greats such as Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond and the Clark Sisters.
Franklin later affectionately called them and himself “The Avengers” as the artists united on the stage to greet guests.
While these legends are unlike Marvel characters, many are familiar with these superheroes in the gospel community.
Each artist’s career dates back several decades and has encouraged believers with their paramount hits.
Kirk Franklin hit the stage singing 1998’s “Love (Remix),” spinning and twisting while praising dancing.
He reminded believers to keep their faith in God and not earthly things.
“That’s why you can never confuse your source with your resource,” He shared. “See, that job is not your source. So when they start trippin’ and actin’ a fool, your source can create another resource.”
The jamboree continued with Yolanda Adams gracing the stage to sing “I Believe,” “Open My Heart,” and “My Liberty.”
Adams said she was impressed by the crowd singing along, saying, “Y’all sound good up in here!”
Fred Hammond grew emotional as he sang “Running Back to You” while supported by his fellow tourmates. He was joined on stage by Keith Staten and Marcus Cole of Commissioned to sing “You are the Living Word.”
Hammond returned later in the show to rock the house with “We’re Blessed.”
Karen, Jacky and Dorinda Clark of The Clark Sisters blew the crowd away by giving fans hits like “Praise the Lord (Hallelujah).” Karen held her angelic note while they sang “Jesus is a Love Song.”
Marvin Sapp added to the mix by singing “Thirsty” and transitioning into “Praise Him Advance”. “The Best in Me” was also on his setlist to give guests a jam to groove to him.
The Tour family hit the runaway with Kirk Franklin to close out the show by caroling “I Smile” and “Stomp” to send fans away in good energy.
After the show, background vocalist and Southside Chicago native Mark Hood shared how this Chicago stop was special and how he helped curate the tour so each artist could shine.
“I also served as one of the directors of the tour,” Hood explained. “Working with Kirk and Anthony Evans to really get those stars that I know them to be to shine just the way they are. And then get to support them; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
To watch the full interview, click the video below:
