Josiah Queen – Mt. Zion Album Release Show

Yuengling Center, Tampa, FL – November 1, 2025

Having been to the Yuengling Center for several events over the years, returning on November 1st for Josiah Queen’s Mt. Zion album-release concert felt instantly fitting. Not only is this Josiah’s home crowd — he grew up in the Tampa Bay area and graduated from the University of South Florida just a few years ago — but the whole evening carried the unmistakable warmth of a family gathering. Even before my wife and I arrived, we stopped at Portillo’s for dinner and saw several families wearing Josiah Queen merchandise and talking excitedly about the show. That pre-concert buzz made it clear: Tampa was ready to celebrate one of its own.

Stepping into the arena, the atmosphere immediately drew you in. The stage design leaned into a rustic, Pacific Northwest theme, perfectly mirroring the aesthetic of Mt. Zion. Wooden textures, forestlike tones, and warm lighting worked together to create an immersive world on the arena floor. Overhead, strands of lights stretched across the rafters like floating pearls, casting a soft glow that made the large venue feel surprisingly intimate. It was clear that someone had cared deeply about creating an experience, not just a concert.

The night opened with comedy from Shama, whose effortless humor made him the perfect host. I had seen him earlier this year when he hosted the Jesus in a Bar event in Nashville during GMA Week alongside Eli Gable, and his personality translated beautifully to a large arena crowd. His talked about growing up in Tanzania, returning later as a missionary, and his now-iconic “Dusty Bible” bit set the perfect tone — a blend of sincerity and playfulness that carried through the entire night.

Gable Price took the stage first, performing without his usual band — a running joke he happily leaned into by adopting the audience as “his friends” for the evening. His stripped-down acoustic set showcased the strength of his songwriting and vocals, creating an intimate moment in a massive venue. Jervis Campbell followed with a full-band set that brought an alternative-rock energy, complete with warm electric-guitar tones and songs from his latest release. Even without being deeply familiar with his catalog, his performance was compelling, and the crowd quickly locked in with him.

Before Josiah stepped out, Compassion International shared a brief message, introducing a creative new sponsorship opportunity. Each attendee’s wristband contained an NFC tag that could be scanned to sponsor a child — an innovative blend of ministry and technology that I’d never seen before. The audience responded with enthusiasm, setting a meaningful tone just moments before the main event.

When the lights dimmed and Josiah walked onstage, the arena erupted. He opened with “I’ll Fly Away,” accompanied by confetti cannons that exploded overhead, instantly establishing the celebratory tone of the evening. Throughout the night, Josiah showcased a unique ability to shift effortlessly between joyful praise and deep, heartfelt worship.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came during “Barabbas.” Instead of staying on the main stage, Josiah made his way into the stands between the first and second levels, performing the song right in the middle of the crowd. Standing among fans, he sang with gripping conviction, turning the arena into a chorus of voices. When the song ended, he transitioned to the smaller center-stage platform — right near where we were sitting — to continue with an acoustic set. It was a striking visual choice: a song about Christ taking our place, delivered while standing among His people.

The collaborations throughout the night added beautiful texture. Angelo from Strings & Heart joined Josiah for a reflective moment, and later Gable Price returned as the two stepped into spontaneous worship together. Their renditions of “Firm Foundation” and “Build My Life” created a sacred pause — one of those rare, arena-wide worship moments where you could feel the atmosphere shift.

Family played an important role, too. Josiah introduced his younger brother Elijah, who served as his drummer and had just turned 18. His cousin also joined him for a song, and his wife Trinity shared a short message and Scripture that flowed into a powerful time of outstretched prayer across the arena. Seeing thousands of hands raised in unity was one of the most moving scenes of the night.

From the piano-driven “Dusty Bibles” to the high-energy fun of “Watch Your Mouth,” Josiah covered the full spectrum of his musical personality. He even introduced a ukulele during “Adonai,” adding another layer of creativity to the set. The encore carried pure Tampa flavor as ThunderBug — the Tampa Bay Lightning mascot — appeared in a USF jacket and made his way around the arena while Josiah performed “Jesus Is Coming Back.” The night then closed with “The Prodigal,” during which Josiah jumped into the pit with the audience, ending the evening with as much enthusiasm as he began it.

As the crowd poured out of the Yuengling Center, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just an album-release concert. It was a homecoming, a worship service, a celebration, and a commissioning all wrapped into one. Josiah Queen may be young, but the depth of his ministry, the strength of his artistry, and the sincerity of his faith point to a long and impactful journey ahead. Tampa showed up for him — and he gave every ounce of himself right back.