Christian rock band NEEDTOBREATHE will perform for the grand opening of Wildcat Stadium Friday night at 8 p.m.
University Events has been planning the concert for more than a year and finalized a contract with the four-piece band from Charleston, South Carolina, during the spring semester, said Jennifer Ellison, director of events.
“We felt like NEEDTOBREATHE will fit the culture of ACU,” Ellison said.
Although the band has often been considered to fit the Christian genre, Rolling Stone magazine called the album more “hopeful” than religious. Lead singer Bear Rinehart told Rolling Stone in 2016 that the band isn’t trying to fit the Christian music stereotype.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Christian music,” he said in the interview. “I just don’t think that’s what we are or what we do.”
The music of NEEDTOBREATHE can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
The event will be free to students, faculty, staff and the public. Gates will open at 7 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m. with fireworks scheduled for the end of the performance. Concessions will be sold, Ellison said, but no outside food or drink will be allowed in the stadium. Fans can sit in the stands or on the field, but they may not bring chairs onto the field.
“We wanted to give the community the opportunity to experience the stadium in many facets,” Ellison said. “If you’re not into football but you want to experience the stadium, come to the concert. We wanted to create something for everyone.”
ACUPD will be present at the event for general security, to secure the perimeter near the fireworks which will be launched from the stage and the practice field south of the stadium. The opening game on Saturday will also feature fireworks, Ellison said, however, those will be launched from the field across Ambler Avenue, north of the stadium.
Ellison said she expects people to come for the stadium opening from other cities like Houston, Dallas and Lubbock. The Residence Inn and the Courtyard by Marriott are sold out for the weekend.
