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

https://www.needtobreathe.com

https://www.judahandthelion.com