On October 20, 2024, rock band NEEDTOBREATHE wrapped up their two-year Caves Tour at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was hands down the best of the 16 times I've seen them live. From start to finish, the band brought the energy, passion, and connection that’s made them fan favorites, making this final night one I’ll never forget.
NEEDTOBREATHE's latest album, CAVES, released in 2023, shows how the band keeps growing and evolving. Following their quarantine album Into the Mystery, they continued shaping their sound with standout singles like "The Cave" and "Everknown." As their third album in just three years, CAVES is filled with songs about resilience and reflection, capturing life’s ups and downs and keeping fans hooked.
With this foundation, the band opened with “Great Night” and had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs. Then, they broke into their impressive, blues-inflected rocker “State I’m In.” Lead vocalist Bear Rinehart’s vocals shine in this incredible song. I was standing about ten rows from the stage and wondered if I could hear after the show. “Don’t Bring That Trouble” was next, and it was just a pure rocker and melted my face off.
Bear veered off the setlist when he sang “Let's Stay Home Tonight,” which he described as one of his favorite songs to his wife. Next was “Banks,” which is achingly beautiful musically and perhaps even lyrically. The song is about Bear's desire to maintain joy over the years in a married relationship, and he beautifully sings it to his wife.
I’ve been married for 30 years, so this song speaks to me personally. “Banks” connects with me deeply with the lyrics, “I wanna be there when the darkness closes in/To make the truth a little clearer/I wanna hold you close but never hold you back/I'll be the banks for your river.”
“Riding High” and “Wasting Time” kept the jam-fest going. “Hideaway” was next. Bear’s vocals are emotive yet honest, making the words he’s singing all the more powerful and moving.
Next was “Stones Under Rushing Water,” followed by the hit song “Something Beautiful.” That latter is my favorite song from their 2009 album, The Outsiders, with the very moving lyrics, “Hey now, this is my desire, Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful, To touch me, I know that I'm in reach, 'Cause I am down on my knees, I'm waiting for something beautiful.”
A personal highlight was next for me: "Testify,” one of the most worshipful songs from their 2016 album, HARD LOVE. The capacity crowd all had our hands in the air in worship. “No Excuses” was next, another beautiful song from HARD LOVE.
NEEDTOBREATHE has long been one of my all-time favorite bands because they can move me with exceptional and spiritual lyrics that genuinely reflect how I feel as a Christian. No matter the situation, they have songs that can bring healing and reflect the heart's cry.
As “No Excuses” demonstrates, sometimes we need to be on our knees in prayer and submission before God and cry out, “Hey now.” Get to where you are in humble submission to God, and don’t play it safe. But take a chance and ask God to be authentic in your life. You’ll never see true beauty if you don’t fully submit to God.
The fun was non-stop as they jumped right to the party song “Girl Named Tennessee,” a great song about an encounter with an unnamed girl from Tennessee. The dancing was in full effect, and the crowd knew all the words of every song, making it even more enjoyable. We're fearfully, wonderfully, and perfectly made, expressed in the standout “Who Am I”: “Somehow You really love who I really am/I push You away/Still You won’t let go…Who am I to be loved by You?”
They closed their fantastic night with “The Outsiders.” As Christians, we are indeed ‘outsiders,’ and we need to ‘stand our ground,’ as this anthem urges. They returned with the encores of “Brother,” which had Bear walking around the arena giving high fives and all of us shouting, “Brother, let me be your shelter.”
Then he told the story behind “Wasteland” and led us in a moment of worship: “If God is on my side, then who can be against me?” He closed with the stirring song “West Texas Wind,” which Bear said he would sing until the day he dies, with the gorgeous refrain, “singing God I need You, oh how I need You, God I need You again.”
NEEDTOBREATHE, in concert, was a five-star night. If you like quality music and a fantastic concert experience, you must see this band live. Don't miss any chance to see NEEDTOBREATHE, one of the premier concert bands in the history of Christian music.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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