So a few days ago, I was blessed enough to attend a NEEDTOBREATHE (NTB) concert for the fourth time! The concert was held in the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis (one of the most beautiful venues I have ever had the pleasure of viewing a concert in) as a stop on their “Drive All Night Tour.” Every time I have seen this band live, I have been blown away, making me fall in love with their music all over again. The first time I saw them live, I was hooked from the start and they have continued to impress me each and every time. I love their instrumentation, playing abilities, realness, and their courage to make and create music they believe in, not music their record label or anyone else. NTB’s music is great, but their live shows are even better and continually improve.
The opener, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, was terrific! The minute I heard they were opening for NTB I was pumped. The reason, Drew Holcomb played next door at the 7th Street Entry of First Avenue in March 2012, when NTB happened to be playing at First Ave. NTB invited Drew and his wife, Ellie, onstage to perform Stones Under Rushing Water, and I had goose bumps throughout the entire song. It was definitely an enjoyable experience to listen to Drew and the band; definitely someone to keep on your radar!
When NTB came on stage, they had a toned down set in the beginning. I was somewhat surprised by this and then they began to play The Reckoning, and the entire audience went crazy. Throughout the entire set the audience sang along to each and every song with such passion; it’s definitely a testament to NTB’s greatness as a band when the entire audience is captivated by their music so greatly. I could not stop dancing around at the show. Drive All Night and Oh Carolina were crowd pleasers during the second part of the set. One particular song I, and the rest of the crowd, were pleased to hear again was Something Beautiful (the band wanted to play a song from an old album) and this song was absolutely something beautiful. Then, NTB invited Drew and the crew back on stage at the end of the set to play Stand By Me; it took my breath away. And of course, NTB returned to play an encore of The Outsiders, Keep Your Eyes Open, and a new song entitled Difference Maker was performed with and without the use of mics (this one definitely makes me excited to see what is new in store for this band).
All in all, this show was one of the best I have ever attended. Then again, I say this every time I see NEETOBREATHE live. Moral of the story, watch some videos of their live shows and if you are REALLY daring, check out a show near you, you will not be disappointed!