It's more than just a show. They're more than just a band. That's according to Clay member James Adamson, and I'd tend to agree! 'Music can influence, but the word can save,' James said to me before Clay's Turning Point concert in the Spires centre. And it summed up the essence of the night. For Clay, as lead singer James explains: 'It's above sales, it's above doing a good show, it's about seeing souls saved.'

Made up of James and his wife Catherine, David, Billy, Andrew, Graham, and Aiden, the band's journey has been a real learning curve. The crunch point came about two years ago when the Clay members realised that having an album out wasn't a vision. James says that 'when they caught the need of young people, that's when the Lord started to bless them.' And that, he insists, would be his advice to any young band out there: 'Get a vision, and make it about the Lord and people.' The Turning Point concert was very focused on the neediness of young people. Beginning with quirky video footage the night varied between rocked-up music and more reflective songs. One of the most poignant moments of the night for me came early on in the first set when drummer David Jamison shared some thoughts with the mainly teenage crowd.
As David introduced the song Hideaway, he uttered these challenging words: 'We are running out of people to take this message into the city. There's an air-raid coming and some people don't know where the shelter is. And everyone needs to know where the shelter is.' It was powerful stuff.
The second half of the concert began with a more chilled sound. Footage and commentary from the World Trade Centre catastrophe was used, before Clay ran into a song, Don't tell me the world hasn't changed. The tone soon changed again as the drummer let rip and a few pumped-up numbers were belted out!

The concert came to a head though as James addressed us, telling us why we need Jesus so much. After the strong and emotional message, Clay moved into their final song. Everyone was invited to close their eyes and hear Jesus speaking the song's words to them. It really was a moving few moments. 'I did it for you,' Jesus was saying.

Clay are more than a band, I began by saying. As Clay Youth Outreach, they promise to try and come to your church if you want them there. With young people out there stumbling around in darkness, all Clay want to do is to bring them the message of Light that can help them, lift them, save them.

To see a slection of images from The Spires click here...