NEEDTOBREATHE took Raleigh’s breath away with a joyful show

August 20, 2016 Gus Samarco Live Review, USA

By Gus Samarco, Rock At Night Raleigh Correspondent

Venue: Red Hat Amphitheatre, Raleigh, North Carolina–August 17, 2016

What’s up, dear rock’n’roll brothers and sisters?

So I found myself out there in one of “those assignments” where I had no idea what to expect, so, I was thinking “Please don’t fail me now, dear editor.”

While I waited to be escorted to the pit, I poked around the internet using my cell phone and learned that NEEDTOBREATHE, is in fact a Christian rock band. Why is that even important?  Well, I grew up as a Christian kid in the 80’s and 90’s, in the country of Brazil that still believed rock was the devil’s music (seriously!).  I learned later that I had to be a difference maker if I wanted to keep listening to the music I loved. I imagine the artists then had to hustle to keep playing, so mad respect there. Yup, I listen to the NewsBoys.

I started getting impressed when I stepped into the pit. There were speakers taking up about 70 percent of the pit. I knew it was going to get loud! The show started with some cool videos on the big screen and a bit later the band emerged from the shadows, with a ton ofl the energy, playing “Great Night”. I knew I was going to have a good time—and indeed I did! Next came “Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now” which totally reminded me that I’m Brazilian. With all the groove NEEDTOBREATHE had in stock, they threw this song at us. I looked behind me and everyone younger than 30 was dancing like crazy. I know, I was.

With “Difference Maker” NEEDTOBREATHE took our breath away. I’m glad I took a bunch of pictures during the first two songs. I actually found myself hypnotized by the intensity of this song. The band could have repeated it 5 times and everybody would remain still, captivated by the music, and mesmerized by the amazing lyrics.

I was a bummed to have to leave the pit after the third song was over (the common “rule” for photographers). Well, I actually went back into the Amphitheater for some more! The music was that good!

Okay, at this point, I was officially off the clock, but let me tell you about the song “Happiness”. I was a bit skeptical when Bear told us the bus with the choir didn’t make it, they only had a few singers, and needed our help. There was a small possibility he might have been luring us into sing really hard for them… Whatever, it worked, the crowd really became one with the band to perform “Happiness”.  I could almost see the music filling the air, I confess, Happiness truly made me feel happy 🙂

See Rock At Night’s review of  HARD LOVE

Setlist

Intro

Great Night

Feet

Difference Maker

Money & Fame

Happiness

Keep/Washed/Testify

Trouble

Oh Carolina (Acoustic)

Devils

Multiplied

Clear

Mountain Part 1

Hard Love

Wasteland

Be Here Long

Brother

Photo Gallery

 

 

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see them between now and Mid-November:

TOUR

Aug 18    Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre-Charlotte, NC

Aug 19    Volvo Car Stadium- Charleston, SC

Aug 20    Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park-Alpharetta, GA

Aug 22    Wolf Trap-Vienna, VA

Aug 23    Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion-Gilford, NH

Aug 25    Columbus Commons-Columbus, OH

Aug 26    PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center-Cincinnati, OH

Aug 27    Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park-Indianapolis, IN

Aug 28    Meadow Brook-Rochester Hills, MI

Aug 31    Ogren Park at Allegiance Field-Missoula, MT

Sep 01    Marymoor Park-Redmond, WA

Sep 02    Oregon Zoo Amphitheater-Portland, OR

Sep 03    Les Schwab Amphitheater-Bend, OR

Sep 06    Idaho Botanical Garden-Boise, ID

Sep 08    City National Civic-San Jose, CA

Sep 09    Vina Robles Amphitheatre-Paso Robles, CA

Sep 10    Greek Theatre-Los Angeles, CA

Sep 11    Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre-San Diego, CA

Sep 13    Red Butte Garden-Salt Lake City, UT

Sep 15    Red Rocks Amphitheatre-Morrison, CO

Sep 16    Stir Cove at Harrah’s Casino-Council Bluffs, IA

Sep 17    Starlight Theatre-Kansas City, MO

Sep 18    Landers Center-Southaven, MS

Sep 20    The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium-Shreveport, LA

Sep 22    Tuscaloosa Amphitheater-Tuscaloosa, AL

Sep 23    Ascend AmphitheaterNashville, TN

Sep 24    Sweetland Amphitheatre at Boyd Park-Lagrange, GA

Sep 25    Knoxville Coliseum-Knoxville, TN

Oct 12    USF Sun Dome-Tampa, FL

Oct 13    St. Augustine Ampitheatre-St Augustine, FL

Oct 14    Pompano Beach Amphitheatre-Pompano Beach, FL

Oct 15    Hard Rock Live-Orlando, FL

Oct 17    Saenger Theatre-New Orleans, LA

Oct 18    Revention Music Center-Houston, TX

Oct 20    United Supermarkets Arena-Lubbock, TX

Oct 21    Taylor County Expo Center-Abilene, TX

Oct 22    Verizon Theatre-Grand Prairie, TX

Oct 23    Skyline Theater at the Long Center-Austin, TX

Oct 25    Criterion Theater-Oklahoma City, OK

Oct 27    Roy Wilkins AuditoriumS-aint Paul, MN

Oct 28    Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center-Madison, WI

Oct 29    Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University-St Louis, MO

Oct 30    Aragon Ballroom-Chicago, IL

Nov 02    Beacon Theatre-New York, NY

Nov 04    Agganis Arena-Boston, MA

Nov 05    Electric Factory-Philadelphia, PA

Nov 06    Big Sandy Superstore Arena-Huntington, WV

Nov 07    DeltaPlex-Grand Rapids, MI

Nov 09    Rupp Arena at Lexington Center-Lexington, KY

Nov 10    Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium-Chattanooga, TN

Nov 11    Bon Secours Wellness Arena-Greenville, SC

Nov 12    Liberty University Vines Center-Lynchburg, VA

 

 

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