Music, Magic, and Memories with NEEDTOBREATHE In Charlotte
Band Brings The Caves Tour To PNC Music Pavilion
Thursday evening Charlotte area music fans were treated to a special night of music, magic, and memories made when rock band NEEDTOBREATHE made a stop in the Queen City. The band is out in support of their most recent album Caves with tour dates throughout the U.S. this spring and summer. Originally from just down the road from Charlotte, in Seneca, SC, NEEDTOBREATHE has its beginnings in the Christian music scene but has gone on to achieve mainstream, crossover success. Led by frontman Bear Rinehart, the band has won numerous GMA Dove Awards and even garnered a Grammy nomination. Fans at PNC Music Pavilion were eagerly anticipating a spectacular night of music and that’s just what NEEDTOBREATHE delivered.
Opening up the show was Tennessee folk rock band Judah & The Lion. The band brought their eclectic blend of rock, folk, Americana, and bluegrass to Charlotte and it was definitely something special. The band consists of Judah Akers on lead guitar and vocals and Brian Macdonald on mandolin and backing vocals accompanied by a touring group of top-notch musicians for this tour run.
Coming together in the center of the stage, the band paused for a quick group hug before kicking off their set with “Is What It Is” from their upcoming album The Process, which is due out on May 10th. The band sounded great as they ran through a short set of new songs and familiar tunes as well. Akers is really the heart and soul of their live performances as his passion for the music carries over to the audience in the form of pure joy. He is all over the stage, guitar in hand, spinning, dancing, and singing and the fun is absolutely contagious. If you’re heading out to a stop on The Caves Tour be sure to get there early and check out everything Judah & The Lion has to offer.
After a short break, it was the moment we all had been waiting for. The venue lights dimmed and it was on. The stage was dark as the band members made their way out and lights began to run across the perimeter of the different levels of the stage. Situated on the top level was drummer Randall Harris and opposite from him were two backup singers. Bear Rinehart quickly took his spot front and center with his signature hat atop his head as the band kicked things off with “The Cave.”
Surrounding Rinehart were keyboardist Josh Lovelace and guitarist Tyler Burkum to his right and bass guitarist Seth Bolt to his left. A huge LED screen at the rear of the stage portrayed various images including some of the band members amidst a bevy of ever-changing colors and lights throughout the evening. Make no mistake about it, this was a rock show and NEEDTOBREATHE brought out all the bells and whistles including a strong scent of incense that could be seen burning on the stage.
The band was definitely in top form and firing on all cylinders for this performance. In fact, I have never seen NEEDTOBREATHE put on a bad concert yet and this night was no exception. Rinehart made his way down the center catwalk guitar held high in the air as he saluted the crowd. Everyone responded in kind and he even made his way out into the audience at one point during the show taking time to shake hands, give high fives, and even a few hugs as he sang his way around the venue before heading back to the mainstage.
The band threw in the live debut of “When You Forgive Someone,” making for a special moment and musical memory for everyone in attendance. I mentioned earlier that NEEDTOBREATHE pulled out all the stops for the stage show. However, they took a little break from rocking us out to come together on the catwalk for a few acoustic numbers proving the power of simplicity and letting the music itself without distractions wash over us. Rinehart even took a few moments to talk about the foster care system and how we can help those children desperately in need. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales go to the organization For Others which specializes in addressing the needs of these children.
After such a poignant portion of the show, it was time to ramp the energy back with some rock and roll. We all sang along to “The Outsiders” before being treated to a medley of rock classics. Rinehart took a quick break from the stage and allowed the rest of the band to shine as they each took a turn on vocals through hits like “Seven Nation Army” from the White Stripes and even a little Led Zeppelin with “Whole Lotta Love.”
Rinehart returned to the stage as NEEDTOBREATHE blasted through the rest of their set igniting the crowd along the way. They came back out for a one-song encore and what better song than “Dreams” from the Caves album? Of course, this song was a collaboration with Judah & The Lion and since they are tourmates, we had a party with both bands on the stage for this incredible number.
NEEDTOBREATHE is the real deal giving Charlotte area fans a night they won’t soon forget. The band will be on the road through the end of the summer here in the U.S. so if you missed this one, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out and catch a show.
See The Full Gallery of the Evening Here!
If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
Tour Dates:
APR 28, 2024
Daily’s Place
JACKSONVILLE, FL
with Judah & The Lion
APR 30, 2024
Brandon Amphitheater
BRANDON, MS
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 2, 2024
Walmart AMP
ROGERS, AR
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 3, 2024
First Security Amphitheater
LITTLE ROCK, AR
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 4, 2024
Moody Amphitheater
AUSTIN, TX
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 7, 2024
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
SAN DIEGO, CA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 8, 2024
Toyota Pavilion at Concord
CONCORD, CA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 10, 2024
RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
RIDGEFIELD, WA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 11, 2024
White River Amphitheater
AUBURN, WA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 12, 2024
BECU Live at Northern Quest
SPOKANE, WA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 14, 2024
Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
NAMPA, ID
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 15, 2024
KettleHouse Amphitheater
BONNER, MT
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 17, 2024
Bluestem Amphitheater
MOORHEAD, MN
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 18, 2024
Pinewood Bowl Theater
LINCOLN, NE
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 19, 2024
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
MORRISON, CO
Sold Out // with Judah & The Lion
MAY 19, 2024
THE CAVES WORLD TOUR: LIVE FROM RED ROCKS
VEEPS
MAY 21, 2024
Saint Louis Music Park
ST. LOUIS, MO
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 22, 2024
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 24, 2024
Orion Amphitheater
HUNTSVILLE, AL
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 25, 2024
Credit One Stadium
CHARLESTON, SC
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 26, 2024
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 28, 2024
Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
CHICAGO, IL
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 29, 2024
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
DETROIT, MI
with Judah & The Lion
MAY 31, 2024
The Rooftop at Pier 17
NEW YORK, NY
with Judah & The Lion
JUN 1, 2024
Blossom Music Center
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH
with Judah & The Lion
JUN 7, 2024
Ascend Amphitheater
NASHVILLE, TN
CMA Fest w/ Brett Young
JUN 27, 2024
Battery Park
SIOUX CITY, IA
with Abraham Alexander
JUN 28, 2024
9th Street Summerfest
COLUMBIA, MO
with Abraham Alexander
JUN 29, 2024
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
MILWAUKEE, WI
with Keith Urban and Lindsay Ell
JUL 19, 2024
Beech Mountain Resort Concert Series
BEECH MOUNTAIN, NC
with Yola
JUL 20, 2024
Iroquois Amphitheater
LOUISVILLE, KY
with Kashus Culpepper
JUL 21, 2024
Elkhart County 4H Fair
GOSHEN, IN
JUL 24, 2024
South Shore Music Circus
COHASSET, MA
with Abraham Alexander
JUL 25, 2024
American Music Theatre
LANCASTER, PA
with Abraham Alexander
JUL 26, 2024
Oakdale Theatre
WALLINGFORD, CT
with Abraham Alexander
AUG 2, 2024
McGrath Amphitheatre
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
with Kashus Culpepper
AUG 3, 2024
Basilica Block Party
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
AUG 4, 2024
EPIC Event Center
GREEN BAY, WI
with Kashus Culpepper
AUG 8, 2024
Cape Cod Melody Tent
HYANNIS, MA
with Abraham Alexander
AUG 9, 2024
Del Lago Resort & Casino
WATERLOO, NY
with Abraham Alexander
AUG 10, 2024
Boots and Hearts Music Festival
ORO-MEDONTE, ON
AUG 12, 2024
Iowa State Fair
DES MOINES, IA
with Brett Young
AUG 22, 2024
Orange County Fair
COSTA MESA, CA
with JOHNNYSWIM
AUG 23, 2024
Yaamava’ Theater
HIGHLAND, CA
AUG 26, 2024
Alaska State Fair
PALMER, AK
AUG 30, 2024
Macon City Auditorium
MACON, GA
with Kashus Culpepper
AUG 31, 2024
Kick-Off Jam
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL
SEP 1, 2024
The Bell Auditorium
AUGUSTA, GA
with Kashus Culpepper
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