Needtobreathe stepped up their live show game big time this year with the Tour De Compadres. Last year the band unveiled the tour and needed to introduce a creative way for this year’s rendition to stand out from the previous year. Spoiler alert: They did it.
From the light show, the stage set up, the opening bands, the song choices and order, to every other little thing in between - the small town band from Charleston, SC stepped up their game.
Needtobreathe tends to enjoy good luck when finding new, worth knowing opening acts for their tours and for their fans. This year Ohio natives, Welshly Arms, performed with the most love and passion; keeping rock ‘n’ roll alive. Needtobreathe front man, Bear Rinehart said every night, “you missed the baddest band that will hit this stage,” while introducing the members during Needtobreathe’s set.
Photos by Catherine Anderson
The party continued with John Mark McMillan (leg 1 only) and Mat Kearney - both sets that left the audience feeling warm and welcomed. Well known songwriter and North Carolina native McMillan, brought fans to church with his uplifting 30-minute set.
“It doesn’t matter if your glass is half full or half empty, all that matters is who’s across the table from you when your glasses go *cling*,” McMillan reminded fans every night; thanking everyone who was at each show, who was metaphorically across the table from him. Kearney, the Oregon local, brought the groove with a disco ball and some sick dance moves all while performing original classics, but also covers including Twenty One Pilots and U2.
The main act didn’t disappoint. Needtobreathe, best known for their dynamic live shows, lived up to the hype every single night with bells ringing. Led by “the handsomest, and the most danciest” lead guitarist Bo Rinehart, the quartet put on a party and primarily performed new songs off their newest record H A R D L O V E while tying in some oldies, classics and covers.
Photos by Catherine Anderson
After the internal conflict the band endured a few years ago, Needtobreathe said that something new and fresh happened to them and they’re much better as brothers and friends on and off the stage than ever before - and you can see it.
Following 29 shows in six weeks, Needtobreathe proved to their fans and themselves that they still have it. Debuting the tour in Raleigh, NC and going out with a bang in their own hometown of Charleston, SC - even stopping at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado for another sold out show - Needtobreathe proved every night that fans won’t leave a live show disappointed.
Needtobreathe’s second leg of Tour De Compadres kicks off in Tampa, Fla. on Oct. 12 with Parachute.
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