NEEDTOBREATHE brings life to stage

Christian rock outfit NEEDTOBREATHE played to a small but enthusiastic crowd at Midtown's Vinyl on September 8th. Supported by alternative rock bands Colourslide and Moses Mayfield, the South Carolina-based quartet brought to the stage a mix of high energy and gallant showmanship not easily translated from the studio to a live performance.

Colourslide, a four member group from Gainesville, Florida, opened with a song appropriately named "Wake Up Call." Lead singer Alex Lawhon showcased his vocal talent with the song's catchy, if nonsensical, choral bridge. Unfortunately, however, his voice was repeatedly drowned out by his bandmates' guitars, which marred an otherwise fantastic opening number.

The small, intimate venue was well suited to this kind of music, and Lawhon's rendition led me to believe that it was written with heartfelt personal experience.

Moreover, the crowd seemed to grow more responsive to it, and Lawhon's stage presence noticeably improved as a result.

The band then switched it up a bit with a song called "Believer," featuring Lawhon playing an acoustic guitar. The great thing about this number was that Colourslide managed to create a melodically addictive sound with each individual instrument coming together to create a single, intricate sound.

Not content to close on a docile note, Colourslide kicked it up a notch with their extremely catchy "Crave You," by far the band's greatest candidate for a single. There was no deeper meaning there, just a good, old-fashioned rock song with defiant vocals, screeching guitar, slick synth work and an addictive chorus. Colourslide departed with the crowd itching for more. The next act for the evening was the five member Moses Mayfield from Birmingham, Ala.

The band opened with "Wait My Turn," a song with guitars that reached to the sky and vocals that easily recalled early Dave Matthews Band. Following the opening number was "Control," a song of youthful defiance that showcased lead singer Matt Mayfield's charming, swaggering stage presence. The group then treated the crowd to a new song, and Mayfield did not disappoint; his vocal talent was unquestionably good.

Moses Mayfield closed out their performance with "The Answer," a song that built up to one of their characteristic climaxes.

At that point in the evening, people really started filing towards the front of the stage for the headlining act. There was about a half hour intermission while the band set up, and the crowd became noticeably anxious for the show to begin. Finally, the lights went down, and NEEDTOBREATHE took the stage.

The lights came up slowly and there began a soft, piano-based opening from "Return." Seductive guitar and percussion worked their way into a tune reminiscent of Matchbox 20. The band then takes it to a tremendous climax, setting the highly energetic tone that would persist for the rest of the evening.

The following number, "You Are Here," was another very dynamic song that displayed front man Bear Rinehart's penchant for working the absolutely ecstatic crowd.

Their next number, "Don't Wait For Daylight," reflected a striking similarity to Maroon 5, and "More Time" was a hope-filled acoustic number by brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart that blended into a more traditional rock jam.

NEEDTOBREATHE wasn't afraid to let their Christian roots show overtly with "Yahweh" and "More Than," songs of outright passionate praise.

They also performed a fantastic, extended rendition of their popular single "Shine On," in what must've been one of the most forceful and energetic performances of the contemporary Christian music scene.

The highlight of the evening was most definitely when Bear Rinehart unexpectedly had Matt Mayfield join the rest of NEEDTOBREATHE up on stage for a cover performance. The five completely rocked out for several minutes and looked like they were having the time of their lives. The crowd, too, had an absolute blast.

Finally, the band closed out the evening with "We Could Run Away," another optimistic and hopeful song that fit perfectly as a closing number.

NEEDTOBREATHE is a band that absolutely loves to perform and does a decidedly phenomenal job of it. They kept the energy going for the entire one and a half hour length of the performance. Their performance, indicative of the quality of their brand new album The Heat, showed that great music and a strong religious tradition are not mutually exclusive.