Rend Collective (formerly known as Rend Collective Experiment) is an eclectic collective of multi-instrumentalists from Northern Ireland. An inherent desire for something spiritually substantive in our increasingly artificial world is exactly what brought the movement of friends together. United by a common purpose, these twenty-somethings began exploring the intersection between God, life and community.
"Rend Collective came together as a few friends started to pray and seek God. We wanted an authentic outworking of our faith and felt that we would just step out into the unknown and see what happened," Gareth shares. "Before we knew it, people just started gathering around us and we had more than 100 people involved, musicians and artists, bank workers and teachers, and together we tried to figure out our faith."
After many years in Northern Ireland, the band felt the call to step out again into the unknown as the core 5 of the collective felt they were being called to reach more people. They have now grown into an international success with major tours with Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North and Lecrae under their belts. Their heart is to bring not only a fresh approach to congregational worship, but also a heart and message through the spoken word. Their partnerships and tours with church leaders like Francis Chan, Louie Giglio and Shane Claiborne certainly shows this.
Concerning the band itself Gareth comments,"We are a collective of people like a family and not just a band. We want our music to be what we call Organic worship, an honest and natural connection with God, something which is authentic and not artificial. We want to create an environment for people to have genuine encounters with Him and to find themselves singing to Him in ways that they find real"
I <3 Rend Collective| Posted February 04, 2015
Rend Collective has lots of great inspiring music. One of my personal favorites is "My Lighthouse". With a fun beat and inspiring words it's bound to have you dancing and singing to it!
LOVE this band!| Posted March 27, 2014
Last year I spent 3 months training with YWAM about an hour outside of Belfast, and this band reminds me so much of the culture and sound of the Irish music. We would go and hang out with loads of people who all brought instruments and sing with them and clap our hands and enjoy their company, and this is what sound came out of it. I really really enjoy this band because of that AND especially because they take that sound and make it into amazing worship music to our KING! (Rend Collective:) Thank you so much for taking so much joy and putting into a celebration of song with every song!!
Singing Along All Day Long| Posted March 25, 2014
I love Rend. I can't believe how wonderful the music is, how genuine the worship is. Its fun to just dance along to the music, learn to play the songs on guitar, then jam with my friends. I just love their worship and their joyful praise.
Beautiful!!!| Posted March 21, 2014
I hadn't heard about Rend Collective until I downloaded their free mp3 "Create in Me" here on Wednesday and I must say they are amazing. I can't stop listening to them.
Wonderful!| Posted May 21, 2013
I have thoroughly enjoyed the music I have heard from Rend Collective. Watching their videos, I have also gained a lot of respect for their values. Their way of working for worship in community is inspiring.
Growing Up| Posted June 30, 2012
This sophomore effort by Rend is solid. They are using more of a Mumford and Sons stylistic approach that works for them. Praise Like Fireworks is fun and upbeat while You are My Vision and Build Your Kingdom Here showcase their abilities. I would love to see their 3rd album continue with this approach and totally move them into mainstream Christian music with the big boys.