The Music With a Mission tour began last year as an initiative to connect bands who wanted to use their music to fuel the work of established charities, taking the gospel message they declare on stage and seeking to provide active ways for the audience to respond. The second annual Music With a Mission Tour boasted an impressive line-up, including Family Force 5, Disciple, Da TRUTH, Icon For Hire, Bread of Stone, Willet, and Cory Lamb.

I attended a stop in New Albany, Indiana, where the tour was combined with the annual local event Hope Music Festival. Due to the combined events, semi-local bands Shea and Jake Parker Band were added to the bill for the pre-show.

The Grand Theatre of New Albany is a venue more accustomed to hosting weddings than rock shows, which meant the atmosphere was unusual-- chandeliers and massive mirrors kept the room feeling open and well-lit through the pre-show. After solid performances by the opening acts, Cory Lamb took the stage for the final pre-show performance. Although he had been a last minute addition to the roster, his performance was polished and upbeat as he slid smoothly from debut title track “Break The Cycle” to recent single “Safe In Your Arms,” closing with the innocent rocker “Superhero.”

Willet took the stage as the lights dimmed, heralding the main segment of the evening. Willet started with an intro from their song “Love, Love, Love,” transitioning into “Disaster.” The band encouraged the audience to download their EP for free as a part of their mission to be sure everyone has a chance to hear the gospel. The band’s set served as a good time of focus for the evening, centering on the worship-oriented selections “You Are Not Just Holy” and “Love on the Outside.”


Between the bands’ sets, the video screens displayed information for the chosen tour partners. The Music With a Mission tour holds true to its name, seeking to express the gospel message both through song and action. Pro-life organization Save The Storks provided information about how audience members could invest in their goal to bring resources and hope right to the doors of abortion clinics. Cure International provided a glimpse into the lives of those in third world countries suffering from preventable conditions, providing a bridge for audience members to help. The messages succeeded in being earnest without being overbearing.

Bread of Stone claimed the stage and quickly made it their own, electrifying the room with selections from their recent release The Real Life, including “Hold On,” the title track, and “Parachute.” Every song was beautifully executed and performed, capturing some of the vibrant spirit of the band’s new tunes.


Icon For Hire kicked the energy levels up another several notches with blistering renditions of their tracks “Theatre” and “Get Well.” Always theatrical, the band all wore black accented with pink, and their performance was both visually and musically engaging. Although the crowd was held back in responding at first, the band’s vibrant enthusiasm and lead singer Ariel’s denouncement of apathy steadily spread to the VIP crowd pressed close to the stage. By the time the colorful group launched into their single “Make a Move,” the whole room was responding to the songs.

Hip hop artist Da T.R.U.T.H. added some diversity to the bill. He took the stage with just a DJ for back up, throwing down upbeat selections primarily pulled from his last release The Whole Truth combined with some glimpses at his upcoming Love, Hope, and War. The artist seemed to be enjoying his set with a refreshing, unassuming gratitude that strengthened his presentation of a message of hope.

During the break that followed, Fatty of Family Force 5 got up to tell the story of his near-fatal encounter with kidney failure and the way that experience placed a passion in him to provide healing for others. It was a good moment to see more of the heart behind the tour and Family Force 5’s mission as a band.


Family Force 5 took over after another brief break, starting their set with the thug-styled “Ghostride the Whip.” “Can You Feel It” followed, pumped full of the band’s customary feel-good attitude. “Zombie” prompted many raised hands and voices, as did the dance anthem “Supersonic.” The five piece band attacked every song with a ferocity that seemed to inject adrenaline into the room, despite the fact that fans had already been standing for a few hours. Although they stuck to some of their customary elements-- such as Nadaddy’s signature keytar and lead singer Soul Glow Activatur’s battered hulk gloves-- they also assembled some new elements based on last fall’s release III and the more recent stars and stripes theme from summer festivals and their “Cray Button” video shoot. 

“Radiator” contributed a more electro-rock interlude, led by guitarist Chapstique’s playful guitar tone. The band’s seemingly endless supply of energy carried them into the tongue-in-cheek “Put Ur Hands Up” and then the gritty southern-styled rock track “Kountry Gentlemen.” Classic tracks “Fever” and “Love Addict” turned the room into more of a dance party before “Earthquake” brought their main set to a thunderous close.

Two newer tracks formed the encore. The band launched into the infectious “Wobble” first, complete with dancing demonstrations from the band members. As the song concluded to enthusiastic applause, drummer Crouton provided a drum fill intro as Soul Glow pronounced his loyalty to America and the “U.S. Cray.” The band’s performance of “Cray Button” gave Soul Glow a change to bring out a pair of Hulk gloves decked out with stars and stripes. The song ended the evening on an explosively energetic note.


This year’s MWAM lineup provided more rock and roll than last year, which seemed to draw a younger and more energetic crowd. From the worship tunes of Willet to the celebratory anthems of Family Force 5, every band brought a slightly different perspective to the stage, joining as a whole to tell the story of Christ and invite an active response to His love.