Coming back home is always a good feeling.
Critically-acclaimed Christian pop rock band Newsboys is embarking on their Love Riot 2017 Tour and scheduled to come to their home state of Tennessee on April 30 with a concert scheduled at Freedom Hall in Johnson City.
While preparing for their show in Reading, Penn., Friday, Jeff Frankenstein, who plays keys, said the band is excited about this tour and coming back to Freedom Hall. The Newsboys are comprised of Frankenstein, Michael Tait, Jody Davis and Duncan Phillips,
“We absolutely love it,” Frankenstein told the Elizabethton Star about the region. “It’s always great to be back in your home state. Over the past 22 years, I can remember going to shows there, and there’d be 100, 200 max. Our show last year was so electric. It was a great time, and we loved getting a chance to be with our fans.”
Tickets for the April concert are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting Freedom Hall Civic Center at (423) 461-4884.
Never the ones to stay in the norm, the Newsboys are always looking to push the envelope to give their fans an enjoyable experience, Frankenstein said. Attendees taking in the tour in the over 50 cities nationwide are in for a treat with the band unveiling the never-before-seen theatrical experience, “God’s Not Dead LIVE! Rivals”. Rivals brings an ensemble cast of singers, actors, and dancers together to answer the question, “Can God really make a difference,” and allows the audience to take a journey where stars a born, rivals are met, and no one leaves the way they came in, according to information provided Premier Productions.
“This is a brand new tour for us,” Frankenstein said. “The stage is all new. This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time now. We’re just on our fifth day of the tour, so we’re still working all the kinks but it’s exciting. It’s like a mini-stadium inside a concert venue.”
It’s been a whirlwind for the band over the past couple of years.
Newsboys has sold more than 8 million units, amassing eight gold certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. “God’s Not Dead,” Newsboys’ chart-topping, Platinum-certified single, inspired the eponymous Pure Flix 2014 hit film and its sequel in 2016.
“It’s been pretty fun. To be honest, we weren’t expecting it to be as successful as its been,” Frankenstein said with a laugh. “It’s hard for any movie to receive that type of popularity, especially an independent Christian film. We were on the road in Houston and thought it was just going to be a couple of shots of us on the road, a couple of cameos … yeah, that didn’t happen. We got the full Hollywood setup, and we were panicking.”
Being a smash at the box office, the band received even more love from the fans.
“It was something I’m still getting used to,” he said. “When we’re off the tour, it’s just going back to normal. But now when I go out to each with my family, we have people stopping by. It’s been an incredible experience.”
Over the past 20 years, Newsboys continue to rock the stage while promoting a positive message to fans by spreading the word of God through song.
“I honestly think if we were a mainstream pop rock band, we wouldn’t be here today,” Frankenstein said. “We’ve been able to have the full experience of spreading God’s word through song and have the chance to spread the word of the Bible and our different experiences to the public.”
The positive, loving message stays active, especially throughout the Love Riot Tour.
“It gets tough sometimes,” Frankenstein said about the life on the road. “Just because we’re a popular band doesn’t exempt you from problems. If it wasn’t for our faith, I know I wouldn’t be able to make it through all the rough times. We’re able to share these moments with our loved ones. Every concert, we have a chance to share a positive message with our fans and we love every minute of it.”