For King & Country to Return with Holiday Concerts

This December, the Grammy-winning Christian music duo For King & Country, comprised of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, will be back on stage after a year of creative downtime. They’re set to present the “Drummer Boy Christmas: Live Experience” for a five-night holiday residency at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville from December 2nd to December 19th. Additionally, they’ll hold Christmas concerts in various cities across the U.S., including Dallas, Austin, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Joel Smallbone mentioned in an interview, “We’re typically found in large arenas hosting big shows. But through concerts at places like the Beacon Theatre in New York and the O2 Theatre in London, we’ve realized there’s something special about connecting more personally with the audience.”

The 41-year-old Australian artist indicated that they might have some new originals planned for the upcoming concert series.

He reflected on last year’s decision to take a break from touring, saying, “While promoting ‘Unsung Hero’ in London, we thought, ‘Why not take some time off?’ I believe we’ll look back on this period and see it as one of our most important decisions as a duo.”

Smallbone, whose wife Moria also pursues music, emphasized the benefits of taking a break. He explained that having time away from the road offers space to create without the usual pressures of touring.

“I’ve been working on music right from my living room. Ordinarily, we are on the go, juggling everything. This time, though, it’s been focused on pure creation,” he said.

While not revealing details about their fifth studio album or upcoming film projects, Smallbone expressed that there will be a “freshness” in their sound and vision.

“We’ve both discovered new things as we’ve evolved, even as a duo,” he remarked.

He also noted that the essence of their Drummer Boy Christmas performances, which they’ve held annually, retains a gospel-centric focus, offering a message filled with hope and joy during the holiday season. Yet, he hinted at the mix of excitement and fatigue that comes with it.

“It’s almost like a resetting ground each year. Themes of forgiveness, love, and joy are crucial to our humanity. This child literally turns the world upside down,” he added.

Tickets for the Drummer Boy Christmas shows will go on sale July 25th.