Over the past year, they have arguably been the most talked about and sought-after band in the Christian industry, and with their huge surge of support of late in the mainstream market, what could be better than seeing NEEDTOBREATHE at one of their two sold-out Nashville dates? For a group of guys that spent much of 2011 opening for Taylor Swift and who will go on to once again play at the wildly popular Bonnaroo music festival this upcoming June, catching them for a performance at the Ryman Auditorium was quite a treat.

 

Accompanying NEEDTOBREATHE on tour is Nashville-native Ben Rector, a singer/songwriter with an ever-growing fan base and quite a bit of talent. In fact, after performing one of his originals, “Loving You Is Easy” and a rousing rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” it became the first time I’ve ever seen an opening act receive a standing ovation, let alone at such a well-renowned venue. 

 

One quick set change later led to a roaring execution of The Reckoning’s first track, “Oohs and Ahhs,” as the guys from NEEDTOBREATHE hit the stage with lead singer Bear Rinehart’s powerhouse vocals, earsplitting guitars, and one of the most ingenious backdrops for a set I have ever seen at a show, which resembled a typewriter with blinding multicolor lighting effects. 

 

The band sure kept the show moving along, blazing their way through some of their best work, including “Let Us Love” and “The Outsiders,” both from their 2009 release, The Outsiders. One of the nicest surprises of the night? The band is still playing some of their more original material, including both “More Time” and “Washed by the Water” (a personal favorite of mine) from their sophomore album, The Heat, which released nearly 5 years ago.

 

Perhaps one of the most admirable things about NEEDTOBREATHE is the perseverance and hard work that they have shown over their years in the industry. Rinehart took time to address the audience and note how stunned they have become at their own success. He noted that the band used to play at a tiny venue in Nashville called The End, and how the opportunity to headline at the Ryman Auditorium (often considered a right of passage in the music industry) was an honor. Rinehart even mentioned how the band used to “dream about what a day it would be if we could play on the Letterman show,” a feat which they accomplished this past year. Their energy and drive leaves no one to wonder why they picked up multiple nominations for this year’s Dove Awards, including Group of the Year.

 

As the band drove further into their set, the crowd’s energy seemed to increase, and by the time “Girl Named Tennessee” came around, nearly the whole house was on their feet and stayed the same way right through a blaring, hair-raising cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”

 

In what was certainly a tremendous show, it seemed that there could have been room for a lengthier set list (“A Place Only You Can Go” and “Wanted Man” would’ve been great additions). There was also a noticeable absence of dialogue with the audience compared to many of the shows I’ve seen at the Ryman, especially with it being such an intimate venue. Who am I to complain, though? NEEDTOBREATHE knows how to rock and how to bring a place to its feet. Cap that off with their unashamed faith and passion for Christ, and you not only have a great show, but also a band that is creating a lasting legacy. Well done, gentlemen.