People (Hillsong United album)
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = People
| type = live
| artist = Hillsong United
| cover = Hillsong United - People.png
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2019|04|26|df=y}}
| recorded =
| venue = Sydney
| genre = Contemporary worship music
| length = 73:23
| label = Hillsong, Capitol CMG
| producer = Joel Houston, Michael Guy Chislett
| prev_title = Wonder
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = In the Meantime
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = People
| type = live
| single1 = Good Grace
| single1date = 7 December 2018
| single2 = Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)
| single2date = 11 January 2019
| single3 = As You Find Me
| single3date = 9 February 2019
| single4 = Another in the Fire
| single4date = 1 May 2020
}}
}}
People is the fourteenth live album from Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United. It was released on 26 April 2019, through Hillsong Music and Capitol Christian Music Group. The writing process for the album involved biblical influences, having the role as worship music for Hillsong,{{Cite book|last=Wagner|first=Thomas|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1120906903|title=Music, branding, and consumer culture in church : Hillsong in focus|date=2020|isbn=978-0-429-50795-3|location=London|oclc=1120906903}} and its musical style involves a youthful influence, with use of acoustic instruments within recording.
Recorded on 18 November 2018 at Hills Campus in Sydney, upon release, the album received generally positive reviews by critics, receiving a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from critics such as 365 Days of Inspiring Media. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, No. 2 on the US Billboard 200,{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2019/05/07/pink-hillsong-united-schoolboy-q-and-ajr-debut-new-albums-inside-the-top-10/ |title= Pink, Hillsong United, Schoolboy Q And AJR Debut New Albums Inside The Top 10 |last= McIntyre |first= Hugh |date= 7 May 2019 |website= Forbes |access-date= 9 May 2019 |quote= Behind Pink's Hurts 2B Human comes Christian musical act Hillsong United, whose latest project People debuts at No. 2 with 107,000 equivalent units—just 8,000 equivalent copies behind the pop star. People, a live album, marks Hillsong United's highest-ranking appearance on the Billboard 200 and their third top 10. They previously peaked at No. 5 with a pair of studio recordings, Zion and Empires. Of that 107,000 total, 101,000 were actual sales, which gives them the bestselling title of the week, though Pink bested them when it comes to streams.}} as well as the Canadian Albums Chart. People won the Worship Album of Year at the 50th Dove Awards in 2019, while its deluxe edition was also nominated to Worship Album of Year at the 51st Dove Awards in 2020.
To promote the album, Hillsong United toured the United States for the first time in three years,{{cite web|url= https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/worship/people-hillsong-united-s-new-2019-album-p1778766 |title= People: Hillsong UNITED's new 2019 album |website= Eden.co.uk |date= 12 March 2019 |access-date= 6 May 2019}} and also released an accompanying film.{{cite web|url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/news/5979-hillsong-united-releases-people-album-concert-film |title= Hillsong UNITED Releases 'PEOPLE' Album & Concert Film |website= The Christian Beat |last= Longs |first=Herb|date=29 April 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}} In the lead up to the release of People (Live), Hillsong United released a range of promotional material for the album, including promotional videos and merchandise. Songs from the album has been played at over 1,000 Hillsong campus, with the songs 'Good Grace' and 'Whole Heart' collectively receiving over 32 million streams as of May 2019, a month after the release of the full album. On 20 July 2019, Hillsong United teamed up with Spotify to release four acoustic songs from the album, along with four music videos.{{Cite web|last=Cluver|first=Ross|date=22 July 2019|title=Hillsong Partners with Spotify for UNITED By Music Series|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/media/hillsong-partners-with-spotify-for-united-by-music-series/|access-date=4 July 2020|website=CCM Magazine|language=en-US}} On 1 May 2020, a studio version of "Another in the Fire", featuring Taya Gaukrodger, was released as a single.{{Cite web|title=Another in the Fire (Studio) - Single by Hillsong UNITED & TAYA|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/another-in-the-fire-studio-single/1510435465|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Apple Music|language=en-us}}
Background
Joel Houston, leader of Hillsong United, stated that part of the message of the album is "accepting that we are flawed – but that God is madly in love with us". Jonathan Douglass further explained that the title of the album is "self-explanatory", saying its intention is "to connect with people and actually unite people".{{cite web|url= https://www.faithwire.com/2019/04/26/catching-up-with-hillsong-united-on-their-newest-album-their-us-tour-and-revival/ |title= Hillsong United Has a Surprisingly Intense Vetting Process for Each and Every Song |website= Faithwire |last= Elizabeth |first= Lindsay |date= 26 April 2019 |access-date= 6 May 2019}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Organization ! Award ! Result ! Ref. |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2019
| {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web |url= http://doveawards.com/awards/2019-winners/ |title= 2019 Winners {{!}} The 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards |date= 16 October 2019 |website= GMA Dove Awards |access-date= 24 October 2019}} |
| scope="row" | 2020
| Worship Album of the Year | {{nom}} |{{cite web |url= https://doveawards.com/2020-nominees/ |title= 2020 Nominees {{!}} The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards |website= GMA Dove Awards |access-date= 20 September 2020 |archive-date= 13 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210813132446/https://doveawards.com/2020-nominees/ |url-status= dead }} |
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders mw-collapsible"
|+ Year-end lists |
| scope="col"| Publication
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Accolade ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| {{sort|365 Days of Inspiring Media|365 Days of Inspiring Media}}
| Top 50 Albums of 2019 | {{center|10}} |
| scope="row"| {{sort|NewReleaseToday|NewReleaseToday}}
| Top 10 Worship Albums of 2019 | {{center|2}} |
Writing and production
{{listen |filename=Another_In_The_Fire,_Live_-_Hillsong_United.ogg |title="Another in the Fire - Live" |description='Another in the Fire' is a single from the album, released on 15 March 2019. The lyrics within this extract demonstrate the biblical influences of the writing within People (Live).{{Cite book|last=Wagner|first=Tom|title=Music, Branding and Consumer Culture in Church: Hillsong in focus|publisher=Routledge|year=2019|isbn=9780429507953|location=London, UK.}} }}
Writing for People (Live) was done by various members of the Hillsong United band, such as Joel Houston and Matt Crocker.{{Cite web|last=Hillsong|date=n.d.|title=People UNITED Album Credits|url=https://hillsong.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000927496-People-UNITED-Album-Credits|access-date=15 April 2021|website=Hillsong}}
As Hillsong United is a branch of evangelical church, Hillsong, their writing process involves biblical influences.{{Cite book|last=Wagner|first=Tom|title=Music, Branding and Consumer Culture in Church: Hillsong in focus|publisher=Routledge|year=2019|isbn=9780429507953|location=London, UK.}} This requires that, after writing, their lyrics go through extra levels of approval from those within the church and the band to ensure its appropriateness and biblical accuracy.
People (Live) was recorded at Hillsong Worship and Creative Conference in Sydney on 18 November 2018 by Ben Whincop and was produced by Joel Houston and Michael Guy Chrislett.{{Cite web|last=Relevant|date=19 May 2019|title=Joel Houston on why he needed a worship revival and Hillsong United's next chapter|url=https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/joel-houston-hillsong-united-interview/|access-date=15 April 2021|website=Relevant}}
Each of the songs on this album is written in a similar format by a variety of members of the band, crediting a total of twelve individuals as the writers. Hillsong United's music as a whole has a specific role as worship music for the Church. The writing process involves consideration of this role in order to create music that can easily be replicated and can resonate with a wide Christian audience.
As Hillsong United is a part of the large branch of Hillsong Church, their album release schedule differs from most conventional bands. Hillsong's various bands release a range of albums each year, following a distinct release schedule. The church typically releases a live album each year, as such, People (Live) was released on 26 April 2019. This album release schedule acts in accordance with the Hillsong Church conferences throughout the year, with an album being released each year following one of their conferences. These include conferences such as their 'Colour Conference,' the women's conference which typically falls within the first three months of the year, and 'Hillsong Conference', which typically falls between June and August. In 2019, People (Live) was released on 26 April following the Hillsong Worship and Creative Conference at the end of 2018.
Musical style and themes
Members of Hillsong United have stated that the musical style within People (Live) differs from their previous albums.
The tone of this album is darker with less use of electronic instruments which create the upbeat tone used in pop music, and more use of acoustic instrumentals.{{Cite journal|last=McIntyre|first=EH|date=2007|title=Brand of Choice: Why Hillsong Music is Winning Sales and Souls|journal=Australian Religion Studies Review|volume=20|issue=1 |pages=175–194|doi=10.1558/arsr.v20i2.175 }} Joel Houston, member of Hillsong United, revealed that they felt as though the group was "stagnant" so within production of this album, they altered their tone and style to maintain motivation within the band.
The genre of this album has been described as contemporary Christian worship music, and, like their other albums, has been described in terms of its youthful style.{{Cite journal|last=Bowler; Reagan|first=K; W|date=2014|title=Bigger, Better, Louder: The Prosperity Gospel's Impact on Contemporary Christian Worship|journal=Religion and American Culture|volume=24|issue=2 |pages=186–230|doi=10.1525/rac.2014.24.2.186 |s2cid=146821609 }} The targeted audience of this album, and others by Hillsong United, is reflected by the incorporation of contemporary rock into their musical style. Songs on this album also feature synthesised and electronic sounds which mirror the music style of pop and dance music. Hillsong Church has a variety of bands, such as Hillsong Worship and Hillsong Young and Free, each with differing styles, targeting different demographics of their Church. Hillsong United's music and marketing has been characterized as having a youth-orientated focus, targeting the younger generation of Christianity.
The theme of People (Live), like others by Hillsong, surrounds a focus on shared experiences within Christianity. The band has promoted and explained this theme through various avenues. The band stated that they created this album 'to bring unity amongst people everywhere' and 'to love God and love people as people loved by God'.{{Cite web|last=Hillsong|date=n.d.|title=The People Tour – Madison Square Garden|url=https://hillsong.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002718536-The-People-Tour-Madison-Square-Garden|access-date=16 April 2021|website=Hillsong}} In the product description of the album on the Hillsong store, the band states that their slight change in musical style in this album was done to demonstrate, 'the utter reliance on God and the fact that we are called to look at life through an uncomplicated lens of loving people.'{{Cite web|title='People'|url=https://www.hillsongstore.com/united-people|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong Store}}
Release and promotion
{{listen |filename=Good_Grace,_Live_-_Hillsong_United.ogg |title="Good Grace - Live" |description=Excerpt from 'Good Grace,' the first single released from this album on 7 December 2018.{{Cite web|last=Genius|date=2019|title=People (Live): Hillsong United|url=https://genius.com/albums/Hillsong-united/People-live|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Genius}} }}
People (Live) was released 26 April 2019 by the Hillsong label and the Capital Christian Music Group label.
The release of this album was preceded by the release of the single Good Grace'
In promotion of this album, the band toured the United States, releasing a concert film of these performances. It includes a music video for each song on the album.{{Cite web|last=Hillsong United|date=2019|title=The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden|url=https://united.hillsongstore.com/products/the-people-tour-live-from-madison-square-garden|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong United}} It features footage of the band and the crowd during their tour of the United States. It was directed by Nathaniel Redekop and Richard Cause, and produced by Michael Guy Chislett, Joel Houston, Johnny Rays, and Jill Casey under the studio Umusic.{{Cite web|title=Hillsong UNITED - People: Live in Sydney, Australia 2018|url=https://www.amazon.com/Hillsong-UNITED-People-Sydney-Australia/dp/B07RNMV5JY|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Amazon}} This concert film also includes songs from other Hillsong bands, such as, the Hillsong Worship song 'What a Beautiful Name,' which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2017.{{Cite web|title=GRAMMY Award Results for Hillsong Worship|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/hillsong-worship/189071|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards}} It also includes songs from their previous albums such as 'Oceans (Where Feet my Fail)', which won four awards in the 2014 GMA Dove Awards.{{Cite web|title=Hillsong United honored with five Dove Awards including "ARTIST OF THE YEAR" and "SONG OF THE YEAR" AWARDS|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2014/10/08.Hillsong%20UNITED%20Honored%20With%205%20Dove%20Awards%20Including%20Artist,%20and%20Song%20of%20the%20Year%20Awards.asp|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}
Marketing
Hillsong has a designated marketing team for their church that releases promotional content for their upcoming albums.{{Citation|last=Wagner|first=Tom|title=The "Powerful" Hillsong Brand|date=2017|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-59656-3_14|work=The Hillsong Movement Examined|pages=253–269|editor-last=Riches|editor-first=Tanya|place=Cham|publisher=Springer International Publishing|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-59656-3_14|isbn=978-3-319-59655-6|access-date=30 May 2021|editor2-last=Wagner|editor2-first=Tom}}
Hillsong and its subsequent bands market their upcoming albums largely through social media. Each of their bands and church campuses have individual Instagram accounts, with Hillsong United currently possessing a following of over 2 million.{{Cite news|last=Casidy|first=Riza|title=The rise and rise of Hillsong, and what other Australian churches should learn from them|work=Deakin Business School Newsroom|url=https://businessnewsroom.deakin.edu.au/articles/the-rise-and-rise-of-hillsong-and-what-other-australian-churches-should-learn-from-them|access-date=30 May 2021}}{{Cite web|title=HillsongUnited|url=https://www.instagram.com/hillsongunited|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Instagram}} In the lead up to People (Live)'s release, Hillsong United released trailers via social media to promote its release, using the hashtag #UnitedPeople to increase visibility. These promotional videos featured recordings from tours, including behind the scenes footage, narrated by, Hillsong United member, Joel Houston. During Hillsong's weekly church services, they featured promotional footage for the album in their 'Church News.'{{Cite web|last=Hillsong Film & TV|title=Editing Church News|url=https://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2015/06/editing-church-news/#.YLNUkKgzZyw|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong Collected}} Hillsong markets itself using a Hillsong logo, this is used in promotion of this album in order to identify itself with the Hillsong brand.
The band also participated in a performance and interview with Good Morning America in the week of the album's release to promote its release.{{Cite web|title=Hillsong UNITED Performs 'Good Grace' Live On 'Good Morning America'|url=https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YGDZWLNX|access-date=30 May 2021|website=GodTube}}
= Merchandise =
Hillsong sells various items through their 'Hillsong store' including branded clothing, hats, journals, and more.{{Cite web|title=Hillsong Store|url=https://www.hillsongstore.com/|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong Store}} This is sold through their online store and physical pop-up stores at local church campuses and conferences. Hillsong United has its own branch of merchandise for the People (Live) album, selling the album in forms such as CD or vinyl and apparel such as t-shirts.{{Cite web|title=Hillsong Store - United|url=https://www.hillsongstore.com/catalog/category/view/s/united/id/2097/?sortBy=hillsongstorem2au_store_products|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong Store}} The Hillsong store, in its description for the People (Live) t-shirt, says, 'Spread the message in this fresh white t-shirt.'{{Cite web|title=UNITED The People Album T-Shirt|url=https://www.hillsongstore.com/united-the-people-album-t-shirt|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Hillsong Store}}
= Artwork and visuals =
The album cover of People (Live) was designed and created by Nathan Cahyadi, Nick Dellis and Nathanial Redekop. It features a digitally edited picture of a crowd at a Hillsong service, representing the theme of the album, the ‘people.’{{Cite web|title=Hillsong United - People [Live]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/people-live-mw0003261041/credits|access-date=30 May 2021|website=AllMusic}}
Music videos were released for each song on the album and were recorded at the Hillsong Worship and Creative Conference in Sydney in 2018, at the same time as the audio was recorded.{{Cite web|title=People - Hillsong UNITED (Official Album Playlist)|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3deMd8-p5ldnWWQrlKMIC2SwV9b-VdQJ|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Youtube}} There are additional visuals to each song as a part of the concert film, released after their tour of the United States, featuring footage from their performance at Madison Square Garden, an arena in New York City.
Commercial performance
In Australia, People debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 6.{{cite news |url= https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2019/hurts-2b-human-gives-pink-sixth-1-album |title= Hurts 2B Human gives P!nk sixth #1 album {{!}} ARIA Charts |date= 4 May 2019 |website= Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date= 9 May 2019 |quote= #6: Hillsong United 'People' – Worship band Hillsong United return to the chart with the live album People. Recorded in Sydney, it becomes the group's eighth Top Ten on the ARIA Albums Chart. They last charted with Wonder (#4 Jun. '17).}}
In the United States, People sold 107,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, thus debuting at No. 2 on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart (dated 2 May).{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8510202/pink-hurts-2b-human-album-debuts-number-1-billboard-200-chart |title= Pink's 'Hurts 2B Human' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart {{!}} Billboard |last= Caulfield |first= Keith |date= 6 May 2019 |magazine= Billboard |publisher= Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group |access-date= 9 May 2019}} Being their third top ten appearance on Billboard 200, the album is the highest ranking appearance for Hillsong United on the chart beating out the No. 5 debuts by Empires (2015) and Zion (2013), while breaking their best sales week record, formerly held by Empires. The album concurrently registered at No. 1 on Billboard Christian Albums chart.{{cite web |url= https://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/news/6006-hillsong-united-s-people-albums-breaks-record-during-debut-week |title= Hillsong UNITED's 'PEOPLE' Album Breaks Record During Debut Week |last= Longs |first= Herb |date= 6 May 2019 |website= The Christian Beat |access-date= 9 May 2019}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Standard edition{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/people-live-mr0005216846 |title=People (Live) |date=1 May 2020 |website=Allmusic |publisher= |access-date=7 February 2021}}
| extra_column = Worship leader(s){{cite web|url=https://hillsong.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000927496-People-UNITED-Album-Credits|title=People UNITED Album Credits|access-date=8 August 2019|publisher=Hillsong}}
| title1 = Ready or Not
| writer1 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Marty Sampson}}
| extra1 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length1 = 05:53
| title2 = Here's to the One
| writer2 = {{hlist| Matt Crocker | Houston | Benjamin Hastings | Aodhan King | Dylan Thomas}}
| extra2 = Jonathon Douglass
| length2 = 03:37
| title3 = Might Sound Wild
| writer3 = {{hlist| Crocker | Houston}}
| extra3 = {{hlist| Matt Crocker | Joel Houston}}
| length3 = 06:16
| title4 = Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)
| writer4 = {{hlist| Houston | King}}
| extra4 = {{hlist| Taya Gaukrodger | Aodhan King}}
| length4 = 07:30
| title5 = As You Find Me
| writer5 = {{hlist| Houston | Crocker | Hastings}}
| extra5 = {{hlist| Tulele Faletolu | Taya Gaukrodger}}
| length5 = 08:43
| title6 = Clean
| writer6 = {{hlist| Michael Fatkin | Taya Gaukrodger | Hannah Hobbs}}
| extra6 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length6 = 02:29
| title7 = Starts and Ends
| writer7 = {{hlist| Houston | Brooke Ligertwood}}
| extra7 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Brooke Ligertwood}}
| length7 = 08:11
| title8 = Highlands (Song of Ascent)
| writer8 = {{hlist| Houston | Hastings}}
| extra8 = {{hlist| Benjamin Hastings}}
| length8 = 06:31
| title9 = Holy Ground
| writer9 = {{hlist| Crocker | Hastings | Ben Fielding | King}}
| extra9 = Matt Crocker
| length9 = 05:34
| title10 = Another in the Fire
| writer10 = {{hlist| Chris Davenport | Houston}}
| extra10 = {{hlist| Chris Davenport}}
| length10 = 06:34
| title11 = Good Grace
| writer11 = Houston
| extra11 = Joel Houston
| length11 = 05:54
| title12 = Echoes (Till We See the Other Side)
| writer12 = {{hlist| Hastings | Houston | Fielding}}
| extra12 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Benjamin Hastings}}
| length12 = 06:23
| total_length = 73:24
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks
| extra_column = Worship leader(s)
| title13 = Good Grace
| note13 = acoustic
| writer13 = Houston
| extra13 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Taya Gaukrodger}}
| length13 = 04:40
| title14 = Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)
| note14 = acoustic
| writer14 = {{hlist| Houston | King}}
| extra14 = {{hlist| Taya Gaukrodger | Aodhan King}}
| length14 = 05:41
| title15 = Another in the Fire
| note15 = acoustic
| writer15 = {{hlist| Davenport | Houston}}
| extra15 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Taya Gaukrodger | Matt Crocker}}
| length15 = 05:38
| title16 = Highlands (Song of Ascent)
| note16 = acoustic
| writer16 = {{hlist| Houston | Hastings}}
| extra16 = Benjamin Hastings
| length16 = 05:59
| title17 = Holy Ground
| note17 = acoustic
| writer17 = {{hlist| Crocker | Hastings | Fielding | King}}
| extra17 = Matt Crocker
| length17 = 03:28
| title18 = Here's to the One
| note18 = acoustic
| writer18 = {{hlist| Crocker | Houston | Hastings | King | Thomas}}
| extra18 = {{hlist| Matt Crocker | Taya Gaukrodger}}
| length18 = 03:10
| title19 = Good Grace
| note19 = radio edit
| writer19 = Houston
| extra19 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Jad Gillies | Taya Gaukrodger}}
| length19 = 04:00
| total_length = 105:53
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition re-release bonus track
| extra_column = Worship leader(s)
| title20 = Another in the Fire
| note20 = studio version
| writer20 = {{hlist| Davenport | Houston}}
| extra20 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length20 = 04:26
| total_length = 110:28
}}
Tour
Hillsong United toured the United States in early to mid-2019 to promote the album. Amanda Lindsey Cook and Mack Brock were the opening acts of the tour. The tour performed at venues in 29 U.S. cities, including the Staples Center in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York City.{{Cite web|last=Cluver|first=Ross|date=7 December 2018|title=Hillsong UNITED Announces 'UNITED USA Tour 2019' Dates|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/hillsong-united-announces-united-usa-tour-2019-dates/|access-date=12 May 2021|website=CCM Magazine}} The tour was extended, ending at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for the annual Passion Conferences on 31 December 2019.
=''The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden''=
On 21 January 2021, Hillsong United announced the release of a live album and concert film featuring the group's 2 July concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.{{cite web |url=https://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/new-music/9381-hillsong-united-announces-the-people-tour-live-from-madison-square-garden-album-concert-film |title=Hillsong UNITED Announces 'The People Tour: Live From Madison Square Garden' Album & Concert Film |last=Longs |first=Herb |date=21 January 2021 |website=The Christian Beat |access-date=29 January 2021}} The album, The People Tour: Live From Madison Square Garden, was released on 29 January 2021.
{{Track listing
| headline = Disc one{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-people-tour-live-from-madison-square-garden-mw0003461062 |title=Hillsong United - The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden |date=29 January 2021 |website=Allmusic |access-date=30 January 2021}}
| extra_column = Worship leader(s)
| title1 = Ready or Not
| writer1 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Marty Sampson}}
| extra1 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length1 = 05:33
| title2 = Wonder
| writer2 = {{hlist| Houston | Matt Crocker}}
| extra2 = Matt Crocker
| length2 = 04:37
| title3 = Relentless
| writer3 = {{hlist| Crocker | Houston}}
| note3 = Remix
| extra3 = {{hlist| Jonathon Douglass | Taya Gaukrodger}}
| length3 = 03:45
| title4 = Touch the Sky
| writer4 = {{hlist| Houston | Dylan Thomas | Michael Guy Chislett}}
| extra4 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length4 = 04:36
| title5 = Interlude
| writer5 =
| extra5 = Joel Houston
| length5 = 01:22
| title6 = Behold (Then Sings My Soul)
| writer6 = Houston
| extra6 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Taya Gaukrodger | Matt Crocker}}
| length6 = 06:37
| title7 = Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)
| writer7 = {{hlist| Houston | Aodhan King}}
| extra7 = {{hlist| Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length7 = 07:30
| title8 = Highlands (Song of Ascent)
| writer8 = {{hlist| Houston | Benjamin Hastings}}
| extra8 = {{hlist| Benjamin Hastings}}
| length8 = 05:37
| title9 = Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
| writer9 = {{hlist| Houston | Jonas Myrin}}
| extra9 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length9 = 01:25
| title10 = Another in the Fire
| writer10 = {{hlist| Chris Davenport | Houston}}
| extra10 = {{hlist| Chris Davenport}}
| length10 = 06:46
| title11 = What a Beautiful Name
| writer11 = {{hlist| Ben Fielding | Brooke Ligertwood}}
| extra11 = {{hlist| Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length11 = 04:29
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Worship leader(s)
| title1 = Not Today
| writer1 = {{hlist| Houston | Crocker}}
| extra1 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length1 = 04:53
| title2 = As You Find Me
| writer2 = {{hlist| Houston | Crocker | Hastings}}
| extra2 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length2 = 05:44
| title3 = The Stand
| writer3 = Houston
| extra3 = Joel Houston
| length3 = 03:01
| title4 = From the Inside Out / Came to My Rescue
| writer4 = {{hlist| Houston | Sampson | Thomas | Joel Davies}}
| extra4 = Jad Gillies
| length4 = 04:00
| title5 = Rain / Reign
| writer5 = {{hlist| Houston | Crocker}}
| extra5 = {{hlist| Matt Crocker | Taya Gaukrodger | Jad Gillies}}
| length5 = 02:50
| title6 = O Praise the Name (Anástasis)
| writer6 = {{hlist| Hastings | Sampson | Dean Ussher}}
| extra6 = Jad Gillies
| length6 = 01:19
| title7 = Starts and Ends
| note7 = featuring Amanda Lindsey Cook
| writer7 = {{hlist| Houston | Ligertwood}}
| extra7 = {{hlist| Matt Crocker | Amanda Lindsey Cook}}
| length7 = 08:02
| title8 = So Will I (100 Billion X)
| writer8 = {{hlist| Benjamin Hastings | Houston | Michael Fatkin}}
| extra8 = Benjamin Hastings
| length8 = 08:11
| title9 = With Everything
| writer9 = Houston
| extra9 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Jad Gillies}}
| length9 = 05:36
| title10 = Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
| writer10 = {{hlist| Houston | Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm}}
| extra10 = Taya Gaukrodger
| length10 = 07:24
| title11 = Good Grace
| writer11 = Houston
| extra11 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Jad Gillies | Amanda Lindsey Cook}}
| length11 = 07:30
| title12 = Echoes (Till We See the Other Side)
| note12 = featuring Mack Brock
| writer12 = {{hlist| Hastings | Houston | Fielding}}
| extra12 = {{hlist| Joel Houston | Benjamin Hastings | Mack Brock}}
| length12 = 07:09
| total_length = 1:57:34
}}
Personnel
Hillsong United
- Michael Guy Chislett – electric guitar
- Matt Crocker – vocals, acoustic guitar
- Jonathon Douglass – vocals
- Jad Gillies – vocals, electric guitar
- Joel Houston – vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
- Taya Gaukrodger – vocals
- Benjamin Hastings – vocals
- Simon Kobler – drums, percussion
- Jihea Oh – bass guitar
- Benjamin Tennikoff – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
- Dylan Thomas – electric guitar
Additional musicians
- Chris Davenport (Hillsong NYC) – vocals
- Tulele Faletolu (past Hillsong United musician) – vocals
- Brooke Ligertwood (Hillsong Worship / past Hillsong United musician) – vocals
- Aodhan King (Hillsong Young & Free) – vocals
- Matt Tennikoff (past Hillsong United musician) – bass guitar
- Nathan Hughes – keys
Additional vocals
- Dee Uluirewa (vocal coach)
- Alex Epa Iosefa (Hillsong Young & Free)
- Renee Sieff (Hillsong Young & Free)
- Rachel Helms
- Michelle Cook
- Ashley-Morgan Alexander
- Darian Bass
- Darnell Barrett
- Tim Nakao
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=6 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}}
| 6 |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|M|url=https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/fyi-charts/billboard-canadian-albums|title=Billboard Canadian Albums|work=FYIMusicNews|artist=Hillsong United|rowheader=true|refname=Canadian Albums|access-date=6 May 2019}} |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2019-05-03|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=6 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}}
| 22 |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Hillsong United|album=People|rowheader=true|access-date=8 May 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Hillsong United|rowheader=true|access-date=9 May 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardChristian|1|artist=Hillsong United|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2019}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Critical reception
The release of People (Live) gained status as Hillsong United's biggest sales week as of its release in 2019.{{Cite magazine|last=Asker|first=J|date=2019|title=Hillsong United's 'People' Debuts as Week's Top-Selling Album Among All Genres|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8510763/hillsong-united-people-debuts-weeks-top-selling-album/|access-date=20 April 2021|magazine=Billboard}} It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums, No. 1 on Top Album Sales with the most sales in that week, and No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. Within its first week, People (Live) received over 8 million streams and sold over 100 thousand albums.{{Cite web|last=CCM News|date=2019|title=Hillsong United's 'People' Debuts #1 on Billboard Charts|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/hillsong-uniteds-people-debuts-1-on-billboard-charts/|access-date=22 April 2021|website=CCM News}}
Hillsong United received generally positive reviewed from critics for People (Live).{{Cite web|last=Balogh|first=J|date=2019|title=Hillsong United – People Live|url=https://jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/PeopleLive.asp|access-date=26 April 2021|website=Jesus Freak Hideout}} Jessica Morris, an internationally published journalist, in a review for 'Others' wrote that the album has a 'superb production value and artistry with an authenticity rarely seen in worship.'{{Cite web|last=Morris|first=J|date=2019|title=Music Review: PEOPLE by Hillsong UNITED|url=https://others.org.au/reviews/music-review-people-by-hillsong-united/|access-date=20 April 2021|website=Others}} Joshua Andre in a review for 365 Days of Inspiring Media rated People a 4.5 out of 5 stars.{{Cite web|last=Andre|first=J|title=Hillsong United – People|url=https://www.365daysofinspiringmedia.com/reviews/hillsong-united-people/|access-date=20 April 2021|website=365 Days of Inspiring Media|date=6 May 2019}} Josh Balogh, a music reviewer with a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies also rated the album a 4.5, noting, ‘despite their musical direction changing, they have remained accessible,’ in his review for Jesus Freak Hideout. Similarly, Timothy Yap, a senior editor for Jubilee Cast with a broad career in journalism, such as working as a researcher and teacher at Florida State University for journalism, rated the album a 4.75 out of 5 stars.{{Cite web|last=Yap|first=Timothy|date=25 April 2019|title=Hillsong UNITED "People" Album Review|url=https://jubileecast.com/articles/21283/20190425/hillsong-united-people-album-review.htm|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Jubilee Cast}}
Others in the music field have also commended the album, with the National Music and Media manager of Koorong stating, ‘the thing I love most about People is how the raw energy captured in the live recording transports me back to the early days of UNITED.'{{Cite web|title=People CD + DVD|url=https://www.koorong.com/product/people-cd-dvd-hillsong-united_9320428338297#product-tabs|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Koorong}} Reviews such as this highlight the generally positive feedback from critics surrounding Hillsong United's change in musical style and choice of live production.
Impact and response
File:Hillsong United 10 23 2014 -10 (15428304620).jpg in California in 2014.]]
People (Live) was first performed as a whole on 18 November 2018 at the time of its recording, prior to its release as it is a live album in 2019. Hillsong's live albums typically follow this process.{{Cite web|last=Matthew|first=David|title=Hillsong Conference Live Album Recording|url=https://christiantoday.com.au/news/hillsong-conference-live-album-recording.html|access-date=30 May 2021|website=Christian Today}} The album was played in its entirety for the first time at the Hillsong Worship and Creative Conference in 2018 and was recorded at this time. Within the recording, singing and cheering from the crowd at this performance is featured throughout and can be heard within the background of the songs.
With the release of People (Live) and other albums by Hillsong United, the band provides technical aides such as backing tracks and sheet music.{{Cite book|last=Arnold|first=J|title=Music and Faith: Conversations in a post-secular age|publisher=Boydell and Brewer|year=2019|pages=196–217}} On the Hillsong store, along with the CD and vinyl version of the album, they offer the album in the form of a music book for US$25, sheet music for US$20 and the instrumental for US$10. The inclusion of these aides has the intention of making it easier for other bands and churches across the world to replicate their music. This assistance has meant that their album has been able to be played at almost 1,100 Hillsong campuses across the world, and also, other churches.{{Cite web|last=Hillsong Church|date=n.d.|title=Hillsong Church Fact Sheet|url=https://hillsong.com/fact-sheet/|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Hillsong Church}} Churches such as Bethel Church are among the many that perform songs from People at their weekly services.
The most popular songs on this album are 'Whole Heart' with 96 million streams on Spotify, followed by 'Another in the Fire' and 'Good Grace' with 79 million and 66 million streams respectively as of May 16, 2024.