An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets

Park Place Church, Pinellas Park, FL – March 28, 2026

There’s something special about a concert that feels less like a performance and more like a gathering. That was the atmosphere during “An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets” at Park Place Church on Saturday, March 28.

The last time I saw Sidewalk Prophets was years ago at Winter Jam, a much larger, high-energy setting. This night, however, offered something completely different. Stripped down to its core, the acoustic format allowed lead singer Dave Frey and bandmate Cal Joslin to create a more personal and engaging experience.

Park Place Church proved to be a strong fit for the evening. It’s a medium-sized venue that can comfortably hold several hundred people while still maintaining the intimacy this type of show requires. Walking in for the VIP portion, the stage setup was simple — a couple of acoustic guitars and a keyboard — setting the tone for a night focused more on connection than production.

The evening began with a Q&A session led by Frey, one of the most unique aspects of the night. Before a full set even began, the audience was invited into the heart behind the music. Frey shared that every Sidewalk Prophets show is built around three key elements: fun, family and Jesus. That mission was evident from start to finish.

The Q&A featured both meaningful and lighthearted moments. Frey shared that the band’s song “Come to the Table” was inspired in part by the imagery of the “table of orphans” from the film Hook, drawing a parallel to being welcomed into God’s family.

Another standout moment came from a question asked by my daughter, Lorelai, about what message he would still like to write a song about. Frey pointed to a desire to address unity in a divided world, a response that felt both timely and personal.

The Q&A also included humor and personality, from Frey’s love of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World — a nod to the now-retired Night of Joy — to stories about performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, a venue known for its iconic setting and history.

Following a brief intermission, the evening transitioned into the concert itself, preceded by a short opening moment from tourmate Bobby, who shared a testimony about how God used him to minister to someone even while he was on vacation. It served as a reminder that ministry extends beyond the stage.

When Frey and Joslin took the stage, they opened with “Live Like That,” immediately drawing the audience in. The night flowed seamlessly between songs and stories, creating an experience that felt intentional and deeply personal.

Songs such as “Prodigal,” “Save My Life” and “Show Me How to Love” were paired with real-life stories, including one from Frey’s early days working at Red Lobster, where a difficult situation turned into an unexpected moment of grace. These stories added depth and context to the music rather than simply filling time between songs.

The evening also included moments of fun and nostalgia. Frey took the audience back to the 1990s, referencing everything from the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls rivalry to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” The Lion King, and the era of Blockbuster and Pizza Hut. These moments helped build connection with the audience in a natural, relatable way.

Still, some of the most impactful parts of the night were the most personal. Frey shared about the loss of his stepfather to pancreatic cancer, a story that led into the song “Father, Let It Be,” followed by a moving reinterpretation of “Let It Be.” The moment carried a weight that was both emotional and worshipful.

Musically, the acoustic format allowed the vocals and lyrics to take center stage. A standout cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” showcased the band’s ability to convey emotion through simplicity, while worship moments such as “How Great Is Our God” and “How Great Thou Art” brought the room together in a unified response.

The second half of the set included “You Love Me Anyway,” which resonated deeply with Good Friday approaching, reminding listeners of God’s love despite our imperfections. The main set concluded with “Smile,” before the band returned for an encore featuring “It Is Well” and their signature song, “The Words I Would Say.”

By the end of the night, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert. Frey described it as a “great big family reunion,” and that description felt accurate.

Even going in not knowing every song, I walked away genuinely impacted. The simplicity of the setting created space for connection, reflection and worship in a way that larger productions often cannot.

If “An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets” comes to your city, it’s well worth experiencing.

Photo Credit: Mike & Lorelai Laxton