Norfolk, VA – Imagine attending America’s largest annual Christian music tour with top artists for free. Winter Jam Tour Spectacular rolled into Norfolk, Virginia on March 1, 2026, delivering an evening of impactful worship across multiple genres to resonate with a diverse audience. With general admission tickets a suggested $15 at the door, the tour continues its mission of making Christian music accessible to everyone.
On March 1st, the weather outside was cloudy with temperatures hovering around 60°F. Parking was a breeze and I went right in. Scope Arena, with its distinctive dome-shaped architecture was transformed into a house of worship as the 2026 Winter Jam Pre-jam show took the stage at 4 PM. With ten artists performing, this was more like a festival instead of a concert.
Chris Tomlin led the diverse lineup that included Matthew West, Disciple, Katy Nichole, Hulvey, NewSong, and Emerson Day. The Pre-jam show featured Jeremy Rosado, 3 Heath Brothers, and Cliff Preston. Collectively, these artists brought genres of worship music, contemporary, pop, rock, metal, hip-hop, country and a little bit of gospel. There was something for everyone.
In this concert review, I highlight four of the performers with a full gallery for each, then the rest of the artists in two other galleries. I begin with the night’s headliner and one of Christian music’s most iconic voices: Chris Tomlin.
CHRIS TOMLIN
How do you summarize accomplishments of the most sung artist in the world? Grammy-winner and 30-time Dove Award winner worship artist Chris Tomlin has 18 albums to his name and has established himself as a leader in contemporary worship music over his 25+ year career. His latest album released in September 2025, The King Is Still The King, achieved the highest streaming week of Tomlin’s career and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart. Surprisingly this is the first time Chris Tomlin has participated in Winter Jam in the tour’s 35-year history.
At Scope Arena, Chris Tomlin led worship with humility, love for God and love for the thousands in attendance. People were standing with hands raised, and some were on their knees. At times it was hard to hear Tomlin singing as the crowd drowned him out belting out every word. Many of his songs seem very simple but the meaning is profound and the impact is powerful, uniting the body of Christ in worship.
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Chris Tomlin Winter Jam Norfolk, VA Setlist 3-1-2026: 1. Good Good Father / Great Are You Lord 2. How Good It Is 3. Our God 4. Thank You Lord 5. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Matt Redman cover) 6. Holy Forever / How Great Is Our God
Here’s a portion of “God’s Great Dance Floor,” an older favorite Chris Tomlin song that illustrates the variety in his music. (Not sung at Winter Jam)
MATTHEW WEST
Veteran contemporary/pop Christian artist, master songwriter, singer and musician, Matthew West took the stage with the audience on their feet. He started his set with the title song of his latest album Don’t Stop Praying. He also just released his 9th book by the same name. As an expert storyteller, Matthew took the Winter Jam audience on a spiritual journey with songs like “Hello, My Name Is” and “Truth Be Told.” For “What If” and the beginning of “Nobody,” he left the stage and mingled with the crowd. Another fun moment came when his daughter Lulu later joined him on stage to sing “Good,” showing the beautiful intersection of family and faith. The song emphasizes that “we are not loved because we are worthy, we are loved because He (God) is good.”
Matthew West’s style of contemporary Christian music has made him one of the most beloved artists in Christian music. With 13 studio albums and 38 No. 1 songs combined as both artist and songwriter, West has earned RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, five GRAMMY nominations, NSAI’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award, and recognition as Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year.
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Matthew West Winter Jam Norfolk, VA Setlist 3-1-2026: 1. Don’t Stop Praying 2. Hello, My Name Is 3. What If 4. Nobody 5. Truth Be Told 6. Good (with Lulu West) 7. It Is Well With My Soul (Horatio Spafford cover) 8. Unashamed
DISCIPLE
There are concert nights that feel like lightning striking—rare moments when different musical worlds converge and create something extraordinary. Winter Jam at Scope Arena became one of those nights when the rock warriors of Disciple commanded the stage. Across three decades of ministry, Disciple has shown that heavy music and faith don’t just belong together; they elevate each other, crafting worship moments that speak powerfully to audiences far beyond the typical boundaries of the genre.
The band’s illustrious career, beginning with the explosive “Radical” from their 2009 album Southern Hospitality, which immediately established the ferocious energy that would characterize the entire performance. “If You Say So” from 2023’s Skeleton Psalms followed, showcasing the band’s evolution and continued relevance in the contemporary Christian metal scene. In a surprising and powerful move, Disciple delivered “Firm Foundation” cover by their other band Honor & Glory, (originally by Maverick City Music), demonstrating their versatility and ability to adapt worship anthems into their signature hard-rock sound. The set concluded with the thunderous “Bow Down” from 2017’s Long Live the Rebel. In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, Young ran to Stage B flying the Chi Rho Flag during the set, bringing the energy right to the audience.
Disciple band members are Kevin Young (lead singer), Josiah Prince (electric guitar, bg vocals), Andrew Stanton (guitar, bg vocals), and Joey West (drummer). Dane Allen played bass for Disciple on Winter Jam, but to my knowledge is not an official member. All are expert head-bangers, and Kevin has mastered the metal scream and his signature jumps. Josiah has mastered incredible spins and jumps along with high kicks that look like he’s had training straight from The Rockets. “Their blend of hard rock and faith has earned them a fiercely loyal following and a reputation for fearless live shows” (Heavens Metal Magazine).
Formed in 1992, the band has recorded 12 albums and 3 EPs, played thousands of shows worldwide, headlined tours since the late 90s, and earned 15 No. 1 singles, 2 Dove Awards, and hundreds of thousands of record sales. Their music has been featured by ESPN’s NFL Live, WWE, Fox Sports, as well as in commercials for CBS’s CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds, demonstrating their broad reach beyond the Christian music scene.
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Disciple Winter Jam Setlist Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026: 1. Radical 2. If You Say So 3. Firm Foundation. (Honor & Glory cover) 4. Bow Down
JEREMY ROSADO
I met Jeremy Rosado, a Florida native, in 2016 at SonRise Music Festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and photographed him again in concert in 2017. In 2021, during his run into the top ten on The Voice, I was asked to contribute concert photos for the show. It has been a privilege to watch his career skyrocket over the years and to be a small part of it, so when I heard he would be performing on Winter Jam Tour, I had to photograph his set and congratulate him in person.
Jeremy Rosado, slated as a Winter Jam Pre-jam artist, blew away the audience with his powerful vocals, humble attitude, and heartfelt worship to set the perfect tone for the evening. His Winter Jam performance was intimate yet powerful, showcasing his incredible talent. The setlist including “Glory To God,” “Come and See,” “Hero in the Room,” and “Keep Holding On.” Later that evening, he sang “When I Meet Jesus” during the Winter Jam offering. He brought his vocal prowess that’s only grown richer and more expressive since his television debut. His genuine spirit and love for worship created a connection that carried through the rest of the night as each subsequent artist built upon the foundation he laid during the Pre-Jam show.
As a finalist from American Idol Season 11 who placed thirteenth alongside his roommate Colton Dixon, Jeremy has seriously devoted his career to contemporary Christian music and worship, bringing that same level of excellence and passion to Winter Jam that made him a favorite of Jennifer Lopez during his Idol journey. She said of Jeremy, “Some people are just blessed from God with a voice that when they open their mouth; they affect people. That’s you.”
While Rosado was on The Voice Season 21, he placed in the top 10. He was on Kelly Clarkson‘s team and received some amazing compliments. Clarkson said, “I have no doubt that Christian music is going to wrap their arms around that beautiful God-given talent that you have.” Ariana Grande summed up her opinion of him by saying, “Jeremy, I’m such a fan of yours. I always look forward to your performances, not only because you sing so great, but because you just ooze so much love.”
Clarkson’s words are coming true. Days after Winter Jam, Tommee Profitt invited Jeremy to sing “Nothing But the Blood,” for his March 2026 Easter album, Resurrection of the King. Tommee Profitt is a music producer, songwriter, and composer—best known for creating cinematic, emotional music and working behind the scenes with major artists. The music video for this song and a gallery from Winter Jam can be seen below.
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Jeremy Rosado Winter Jam Norfolk, VA Setlist 3-1-2026 — 1. Glory To God 2. Come and See 3. Hero in the Room 4. Keep Holding On; When I Meet Jesus (during the Winter Jam offering)
KATY NICHOLE, HULVEY, NEWSONG, EMERSON DAY
Katy Nichole took the stage bringing her viral sensation status to Winter Jam with a performance that showcased why her debut single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” has been heard more than 80 million times on TikTok and Instagram alone. An RIAA Platinum-selling, artist signed to Centricity Music, Nichole has released albums including “Honest Conversations” (2025) and an EP “The Hope Of Christmas” (2025). Her story of miraculous healing from scoliosis surgery resonated throughout her performance, particularly during “In Jesus Name” and other worship anthems. She serves as an ambassador for Shriners Hospitals for Children and volunteers for Musicians On Call, demonstrating her commitment to using her platform for ministry beyond music.
Katy Nichole Setlist Winter Jam Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026 — 1. Thorns 2. You Keep Me Alive 3. Have Your Way 3. Healing Now 4. When I Fall 5. In Jesus Name (God of Possible)
Hulvey brought Christian hip-hop to the forefront representing Reach Records with a masterful performance that demonstrated why his debut self-titled album Christopher debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart and #19 on Top Rap Albums. The Brunswick, Georgia native’s music delves into themes of thankfulness, maturity, and comfort, with songs like “Altar,” which was remixed by Grammy Award-winning R&B-pop star Ciara and earned RIAA Gold certification with 100M+ streams, “Used By You,” “Love Like That,” “Fly Away,” and newer tracks like “BRING HEAVEN DOWN,” “RAIN ON ME,” and “JESUS IS LORD.” His third studio album CRY was critically acclaimed, and he recently appeared on Brandon Lake’s King Of Hearts LP on the track “Right In The Middle” and joined the Summer Worship Nights Tour alongside Phil Wickham.
Hulvey Setlist Winter Jam Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026 — 1. BRING HEAVEN DOWN 2. Can’t Tell It All 3. Walk 4. Beautiful 5. Love Like That 6. No Longer Bound (feat. Forrest Frank & Hulvey) 7. Altar
NewSong brought over 40 years of ministry experience to the Winter Jam stage. Founded in 1980, the Contemporary Gospel band has released 29 albums and EPs including Just Jesus (2020), Faithful: Live Worship (2015), and Swallow The Ocean (2013). Their extensive discography and long history of ministry have made them staples in Christian music, with their Christmas songs and worship anthems being sung in churches across America for decades.
NewSong Setlist Winter Jam Norfolk, VA 3-1–2026 — 1. Can’t Keep a Good Man Down
2. Church People 3. Glory All Around 4. Arise My Love
Winter Jam, founded by NewSong member Eddie Carswell in 1995, began as a single-night event in Greenville, South Carolina, and has grown into America’s largest annual Christian music tour, reaching millions of attendees across the United States each year. What started as a response to the high cost of Christian concerts has become a movement that makes Christian music accessible to everyone through its unique inexpensive general admission pricing model. In fact, if someone can’t afford to pay for a ticket, they can get in for free. Over the past three decades, Winter Jam has featured the biggest names in Christian music, and to imagine entering an arena for some incredible free or nearly free music is such a blessing.
Emerson Day has a unique blend of Christian country and rock with songs like “Get Behind Me” and “Middle Of A Miracle.” The former law enforcement officer turned Christian artist has a powerful testimony of leaving a federal agency position with ATF to pursue music ministry after feeling called by the Holy Spirit. Her journey, which has taken seven or eight years to reach where she is today, exemplifies what she tells others: “You will never regret saying ‘Yes’ to the Lord.”
Emerson Day Winter Jam Setlist Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026 — 1. Midnight Hour 2. No Smoke 3. Get Behind Me
Katy Nichole Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Hulvey Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Newsong Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Emerson Day Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
PRE-JAM ARTISTS 3 HEATH BROTHERS AND CLIFF PRESTON
3 Heath Brothers, Nicholas, Christian, and Clayton Heath energized the Winter Jam stage with an acrobatic performance complete with jumps and a back flip. Their viral appeal is undeniable: collectively, their social media presence has racked up more than 100 million views. Recognition has followed, too, with the Christian Worldview Film Festival honoring them with awards every year since 2020—their “Into the Deep” video alone took home 13 in 2022. This past year saw the trio join forces with Keys For Kids, an organization that provides free daily devotional content for children and teenagers, further cementing their heart for ministering to the next generation.
3 Heath Brothers Winter Jam Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026 Setlist 1. Good Good Life 2. Pick Me Up 3. Trust You
Cliff Preston opened the Pre-Jam portion at 4:00 PM, bringing over two decades of ministry experience to the stage. The Smackover, Arkansas native’s music ministry began in 2002 as he traveled with bands to bring awareness to the love of Jesus and the mental health crisis. With his father being a professional counselor and pastor, Preston has written songs for artists including NewSong, JJ Weeks, and Carrolton, and has shared the stage with artists such as MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, and Natalie Grant. Preston is part of People & Songs, a diverse team of artists, worship leaders, and writers united for the glory of God.
Cliff Preston Winter Jam Norfolk, VA 3-1-2026 Setlist – 1. Who Needs the World 2. Thank You for What You’ve Done 3. Testify
3 Heath Brothers Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Cliff Preston Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Show Date: 03.01.2026
