NEEDTOBREATHE

Need to Breathe was absolutely fantastic and made me happy. I liked every thing about them, their beautiful songs, excellent musicianship, great stage show, good sound and lighting, the opportunity for everyone in the band to have moments to shine. Judah and the Lion were very good as well. Enjoyed the show despite the venue being a little less than comfortable. Food and drinks are outrageously expensive and not that great. Staff at vendor stations were very nice and helpful. The seats are sized for toddlers, so you have to sit with tiny chair arms and your knees jammed into the seat in front of you and the person behind jabbing you in the back with their knees.

The band was awesome but with one BIG problem. I could not understand the singer. The bass and treble and the volume of the instruments over the lead singer was awful. I have been to many rock concerts over the last 30 years, and the sound in this particular arena was vibrating so loud that I couldn’t enjoy the music as much. I am so sad that I didn’t get to hear the lead singer enunciate his lyrics.

Aerosmith concert was postponed a last minute a $19 Groupon ticket for NeedToBreathe provided me with some degree of consolation. My seat was upper bowl row, top row, side stage —you get what you pay for, but don’t you just love a bargain! Not to worry, I watched my Ticketmaster map and moved down to an unoccupied resale ticket in the very bottom row by showtime. Heading up I-85 North to the Bilo Center Saturday evening for my second concert in three days I couldn’t help but muse to myself how different the two headliners of those two nights were from each other: JellyRoll (Country/Hip Hop) vs. NEEDTOBREATHE (Christian/Alternative). As odd as it seemed, both artists in their own way carried a similar message of hope to their respective audiences —and two different audiences they were! It was my second time seeing the Grammy nominated band from Seneca South Carolina LIVE, a near exact two years between shows, the first occurring on October 16, 2021, same venue and near exact same seat. It was the second show into the band’s twenty-five date ‘The Caves Tour’ named after the title of their ninth studio album released less than a month ago. The album has proved itself an instant success already reaching number one on the US Christian Charts. With 9 studio albums and numerous EP’s producing 63 charted songs including 3 number ones NTB has crossed over multiple genres on eight different charts including rock, christian, adult, and alternative. With that much material and the tour just starting out the setlist was up in the air as to how it would play out. The band still features William ‘Bear’ Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar and piano) and Seth Bolt (vocals and bass) since the very beginning in 2001; with Josh Lovelace (vocals, keys) since 2011; Randall Harris (drums) since 2012; and Tyler Burkum (guitar) since 2020. NTB clearly knows how to choose openers picking Switchfoot the last time they were in town, and this time they chose strong support once again with Judah & The Lion. At precisely 7:40 p.m. the alternative folk/rock duo from Nashville Judah & The Lion took the stage for a 50 minute / 9 song set beginning with an uncharted single ’Take A Walk’ from their newest release ‘Revival’. I was super-excited to see Judah LIVE for my first time but where was the Lion? Turned out that ‘the lion’ Brian Macdonald (vocals and mandolin) remained at home in the den. His wife had recently given birth making some fans ponder why the band (which at one time was a headliner at the same arena) chose to embark on the tour. Judah Akers (vocals and guitar) along with a no frills four person band wasted no time taking control of the situation. ‘Let’s be family tonight, okay? Even if you don’t know our band we give you the permission to have fun to our set, our goal is to bring joy to whoever is here with us tonight! We’re gonna give you guys everything we’ve got.’ Drawing from the band’s four studio albums Judah moved through the singles plus some covers. For 2017’s #4 he danced about the stage ‘like David danced’ ending up on the floor of the stage playing solo guitar, I don’t know when I’ve recently been entertained by a performer with such athleticism and energy. He introduced a cover of Lit’s #1 ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ by saying, ‘We’re going to play a song you might know in effort to see how much energy you want to give back to us.’ For ‘Spirit’ a 2020 non-album single he traded out his multicolored mostly pink and yellow Telecaster for a same color and patterned mandolin which he waved back waved back and forth like a baseball bat in between licks holding it by it’s neck. There was a walkway out into the audience for NTB which was apparently off limits to Judah, a pair of monitors blocked his path but that didn’t stop Judah! On the final song of the set 2016’s #1 ‘Take It All Back’ Judah was escorted through the audience making his way up and down the isles of the floor singing. Returning, he literally leaped over the barrier for a journey into the pit then jumped back onto the main stage. The lion may have slept it out, but at the end of the day it was Judah who roared! After a half hour stage turn NeedToBreathe’s set (which had been majorly concealed in black sheeting) was uncovered, and a fine set it was! There was a large drum and background vocalist riser split down the middle with an LED screen face. Six six sided lighted bar towers stood on each side of the riser descending in height, each tower had a spotlight on top. The drum head had the band’s name with an image of a skull wearing a fedora (like ‘Bear’ does) and holding a rose in it’s teeth. A walkway ending in a mini polygon shaped performing area with floor length light bars on each angle separated a pit on each side. There was a large video screen in the background and two additional side screens. At precisely 9:02 p.m. the band took the stage in a cloud of smoke from an open gate that separated the risers. Opening with ‘The Cave’ the title cut from the ‘Caves’ album the band performed a massive 27 song / 2 hour and 10 minute set featuring a total of six songs from the recent release! After moving through 2011’s hit ’State I’m In’ and prior to 2016’s single ‘Let’s Stay Home tonight William Stanley Rinehart III ’Bear’ 43 addressed the nearly full arena. Aside from rows K and upward in the far end of the back recesses and some restricted view seats behind the mix the performance was a sell out for the local performers. ‘The band got it’s start in this town. We played some really small places, then we played the Handlebar which was down the street back in the day [audience laughter]. I still consider this a home game for us [audience cheers]!’ After a sting of hits, ‘Drive All Night’, ‘Hard Love’, ‘The Outsiders’, ‘Who Am I’, and ‘Riding High’ the band’s frontmen took to the end of the walkway for a harmonica/guitar solo on ‘Wasting Time’ from the new album. Four stools, a keyboard, and a mini drum kit were brought out to the end of the walkway and the band sat down for a four song acoustic set beginning with ‘Everknown’ a single release from the new album. Bear addressed the audience, ‘I see your faces and it reminds us of the old days.’ He spoke of a Coffee shop ‘Carpenters Cellar’ in town some 20 years ago when playing to a hundred people was a big deal. Recalling the first time he brought an electric guitar into the coffee shop, a ‘dude’ halfway back told them to never do that again. Bear laughed calling out that gentleman by name, ‘The jokes on him… Ralph wherever you are!’ ‘My family’s here tonight’ Bear assured us, to which each member of the band responded one by one the same identical sentiment, the last member driving home the point, ‘All of our families are here tonight.’ Returning to the main stage Bear was given a break as the spotlight turned to guitarist Tyler Burkum who sang a rendition of The Who’s ‘Baba O'Riley’. Running up the walkway he delivered a solo that made the acoustic set seem like an event from a far distant past and quickly reenergized the audience. Bear returned to perform 2015’s #1 ‘Brother’ while walking the entire perimeter of the floor section shaking hands, hugging folk, patting them on the back and stopping for selfies. It was the perfect song for its chorus emphasizing our interdependence on one another, ‘Brother let me be your shelter never leave you all alone. I can be the one you call when you're low, be the one to light the way.’ Realizing he had expended most of the song towards the rear of the floor he hustled back up to the main stage to finish the song on cue. The female of the band’s two background vocalists took the lead in 2014’s worshipful #4 single ‘Multiplied’ in a strong and moving vocal performance. A cover of Oasis’ ‘Don't Look Back In Anger brought the energy levels back up to the top of the thermometer as the regular set began to wind down, but wait there was more, not only one but two encores. For the first, a mini two song set, Bear brought Judah back out on stage as they handpicked audience members, both men, women and children to dance on the walkway platform and invited the audience to join in and ‘go wild’ for the chorus of ‘Dreams’, another from the new album. At the second encore, another two song mini-set Bear surmised ‘I’m sure we’re way over time’ to a roar from the crowd. It was past 11 p.m. already, the band concluding with 2009’s #7 ‘Something Beautiful’ and 2008’s #1 ‘Washed By The Water’. They saved the best for last! The entire evening was a SOLID performance: the lighting, production, and even the sound quality was superb for a hockey arena! Making the drive back home and into bed during the early hours of the morning knowing I had to be up early for church services I had no regrets that I stayed for entire performance!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #830, 831)

Needtobreathe was amazing. The crowd was enthusiastic and the band fed off that energy. This is the second time I’ve seen them in concert and this was a much better show. Bear seems so much more comfortable out front. He really connected with the audience. Just loved the show!!

I haven’t seen NEADTOBREATHE not headline in some time. While they are still performers, it didn’t take them long to win over the OneRepublic crowd who didn’t know who they were. A great performance by Bear and the boys. I even was able to give Bear a high5 when he came down in the audience.

This was my first time seeing NTB and they exceeded my expectations! Not only were they amazing but their opening bands, Switchfoot and The New Respects were fantastic as well! I’m so thankful I was able to see them and can’t wait to catch them on tour again!

The band was amazing as always. I never stopped smiling the whole concert. They play with so much heart and write intelligent lyrics. Thanks to the band and their families for all the tour dates...it is a sacrifice to be gone from their wives and children. Can't wait to see them again!!!

Needtobreathe does a Great Job of performing their songs in an acoustic style! The venue held about 1,400 people, but still felt like an intimate gathering. As a result of the acoustic setting, and Needtobreathe’s approach to it, the time felt almost like you were just hanging out with them instead of being at a “concert”. This was a truly memorable evening!

I'm 56 years old. I've seen dozens of bands for 5 decades now. This was the 7th time seeing NTB. My favorite band ever!! They connect with the audience, have a TON of energy, and perform their music beautifully! They have 7 albums and there isn't a single song I don't love!!

The band was great as always! Want sue how the acoustic show was going to compare to their usual performances but they were spot on with stage presence, vocals & harmonies, and their interaction with the crowd was great too. If they addres coming to your city or within a 150 miles off you go see them. They are worth it!!

What a great show. First time seeing them in concert. I would definitely see them again. You can tell the talent and depth of an artist by the different ways they can perform their music. An acoustic show with multiple variations and a off the cuff freebie song made this a great example of their talents.

Got to shake hands with Bear and see him up close when he came to our seats which was awesome! I love that they are local boys. They put their heart and soul into all their songs and it shows. Awesome concert! Sad they didnt do their song Happiness though.

Great show, but the venue is making stupid new decisions. Couldn't get a paper tray with my hot dog, so I had to pour ketchup into the paper wrapper. And the size of the regular soda is now about half of what it was in June.

Amazing... one of the best concerts I’ve attended... and I’ve been to DOZENS. Forest Blakk had some good songs, JohnySwim almost stole the show (they are amazing), and NeedtoBreathe was a top 10 across all genres in over 30 years of concert-going for me. I will not miss another opportunity to see them.

Blown away! This being 3rd time seeing them, it was the best yet. The acoustic session had a boat load of their best songs.We had amazing close seats upfront so it was very intimate. A night to remember for sure. These guys will be around for a very long time.

Great night of their songs in mostly acoustic mode. During the second half they came to the edge of the stage completely unplugged for a couple songs. As an encore they snuck in the side door to surprise the audience with one last tune. Their 4 part harmonies were awesome!!

Absolutely positively incredible!!! They were amazzzzzzing!!! Killed it!! They were so great and so much fun I wish they were coming back next weekend too!! I've seen quite a few concerts this year, huge names, but these guys are winner winner chicken dinner in my book!! Please come back sooon!!!

for anyone who hasn't seem them before, it was a great show. I saw them on their previous tour as well and they played a lot of the same songs. They have so many good ones, I feel like they should have switched up the set list s bit. Other than that, Needtobreathe I'd one of my favorite bands so I thought they put on a great show.

Best - Most exciting Show that I've ever seen! I've seen a lot great bands but NeedtoBreathe is by far the best of the best! took my daughters to this show, they hardly blinked an eye afraid they'd miss somethg. = I can honestly say I'm blessed to experience their legacy in the making!

I've been trying to see them since Daylight - Finally! I took my (12 yr old) son, who has grown up listening to NTB and it was good, really good - venue/stage/sound quality & dB, and the opening act was bonus - really good mesh for overall experience. Both of us had really hoped to hear some older (favorites) stuff from past albums - at least the single (or better yet a B-side) from each.