More than 17,000 people filled Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Sunday, July 20, for the 2025 installment of “Summer Worship Nights,” led by Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake. The Music City stop was one of multiple shows that sold out well in advance, resulting in the in-demand duo adjusting production to accommodate additional seating behind the stage.
Energetic fans across the entire circumference of the arena lit up the sprawling room with LED bracelets that started pulsing in colorful patterns as soon as the lights went down. Wickham and Lake took the stage simultaneously, hugging it out before launching into a full-throttle version of Lake’s pop-centric No. 1, “That’s Who I Praise.” They propelled the momentum straight through Wickham’s “I Believe” into Elevation Worship’s “Praise,” which Lake co-penned, before even attempting to catch their breath.
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“Whether you came in here feeling like a saint or a sinner, you are welcome in this place,” Wickham shared. “You are welcome in these songs.”
Together, Wickham and Lake set the tone for a hospitable evening, offering everyone gathered a seat at their table. From the top, it’s obvious that, more than a spectacle, “Summer Worship Nights” is about ministry. At one point, after spotting a handwritten sign in the audience held up by a girl battling cancer, Wickham took a moment to specifically pray for her by name.
Later in the evening, Lake presented the Gospel, leading concertgoers in a simple prayer of salvation and reiterating how that pivotal moment serves as the cornerstone of the annual tour, now in its third year.
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While the altar call message is integral to the “Summer Worship Nights” ethos, collaboration is equally as important. In downtown Nashville, Wickham and Lake’s close bond was on full display as the two artists shared the stage, singing on one another’s songs and genuinely championing each other throughout a uniquely collaborative concert that Lake referenced as “the honor of a lifetime,” calling Wickham his hero.
Their now infamous acoustic mashup remains one of the show’s most treasured segments as the two musicians sat on stools, guitars in hand, and wove some of their most beloved songs into a tapestry that included deep cuts like Wickham’s “You’re Beautiful” and Lake’s “Talking to Jesus.”
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Elsewhere, the two best friends joined forces for a portion of their hymn-like co-write, “Love of God,” as well as a powerful cover of ’90s CCM classic “Shout to the Lord” — an unexpected highlight of the 20-plus song set.
Wickham offered another throwback with his fresh rendering of a Rich Mullins’ staple, courtesy of “What An Awesome God,” an arena-ready anthem with theatrical lighting and a swelling chorus. His modern twist on the vintage hit is slated to appear on his upcoming studio project, “Song of the Saints,” dropping Sept. 12. He further previewed the endeavor with the eternity-focused “Homesick for Heaven” and the praise-heavy “So So Good,” a song he and Lake wrote together and one they’re premiering during “Summer Worship Nights.”
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Meanwhile, Lake showcased originals from “King of Hearts,” which released last month to critical acclaim and huge streaming numbers. “Let’s make the devil mad when we sing this,” Lake challenged before delving into “I Know A Name,” which he originally recorded with Elevation Worship and, later, with the incomparable CeCe Winans for “King of Hearts.” Additionally, the five-time GRAMMY® winner wore his cowboy persona well on a stripped-down rendition of album standout “Daddy’s DNA,” with Wickham providing harmonies.
Lake also affirmed his affinity for blurring genre lines with the hard-hitting, left-of-center “But God” before introducing juggernaut “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Although his famous duet partner, Jelly Roll, was absent due to a tour date of his own, the most eagerly anticipated point of the night arrived in full force with Lake leading the record-breaking hit by himself and attendees automatically serving as his choir. While moving, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” wasn’t the pinnacle of the two-and-a-half-hour collaborative set, however. Instead, it was anchor ballads from Wickham and Lake’s respective catalogs that packed the most punch.
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Seven years in, Wickham’s “Living Hope” still holds the same awe-inspiring reverence it did upon release, proving — once again — that the SoCal native is truly one of the genre’s foremost psalmists. Wickham transitioned into the refrain of “How Great Thou Art” before the pair helmed Lake’s “Gratitude,” the anthem that arguably brought the now chart-topping artist to the party. This was the singular moment that defined the otherwise high-energy concert.
Overcome with emotion, Lake sat down on the catwalk, which extended out into the audience in the shape of a cross, corralling a standing-room-only pit. Eyes closed, head bowed, hands slightly raised, the father of three appeared to seemingly be lost in his own euphoric worship before slowly picking his mic back up and leading the crowd in the familiar chorus of “Agnus Dei.”
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While this would have been a beautiful end to a top-shelf evening, the pair chose to go out on an upbeat note, delivering a vibrant iteration of Wickham’s “House of the Lord” and continuing their tradition of concluding the concert with “People of Heaven,” the celebratory track they wrote and recorded together ahead of the very first “Summer Worship Nights” outing in 2023.
Earlier in the evening, emerging act Josiah Queen opened the event with a brief, full band set that found the capacity arena singing along to every word of his folky originals, like his debut radio offering, “The Prodigal,” and his latest viral hit, “Dusty Bibles.”
Following their largest co-headlining date yet — with 30,000 strong at Hershypark Stadium — next up, the “Summer Worship Nights” tour rolls on to Texas ahead of stops in Arizona and California. Moreover, Wickham and Lake will conclude this year’s run by taking “Summer Worship Nights” overseas for the first time when they perform at the U.K.’s Big Church Festival on Aug. 24.
Summer Worship Nights Tour Setlist
Bridgestone Arena // Nashville, Tennessee
July 20, 2025
“That’s Who I Praise”
“I Believe”
“Praise”
“Battle Belongs”
“Love of God” / “God of Revival” / “House of Miracles” / “The Jesus Way”
“I Know A Name”
“What An Awesome God”
“Hymn of Heaven”
“Homesick for Heaven”
“Daddy’s DNA” (acoustic)
“This Is Our God” (acoustic)
Acoustic Medley
“The King Is In The Room”
“Praise You Anywhere”
“This Is Amazing Grace"
“Rest On Us”
“Sunday Is Coming”
“Too Good To Not Believe"
“You’re Beautiful”
“Talking To Jesus”
“But God”
“Hard Fought Hallelujah”
“Trust In God”
“So So Good”
“Same God”
“Shout to the Lord”
“Living Hope” / “How Great Thou Art”
“Gratitude” / “Agnus Dei”
“House of the Lord”
“People of Heaven”
