Anthem Lights (Reunion Records) vocal pop group is making a strong showing with its May 10 debut self-titled release as indicated by current radio momentum and early digital sales numbers. Such impressive initial response only adds to the energy felt in Anthem Lights’ live show which will hit 15 festivals nationwide this summer.
Having wrapped a 27-city “Rock and Worship Roadshow” tour headlined by supergroup MercyMe this winter and recently stepping off Building 429’s spring 2011 “Listen to the Sound Tour,” Anthem Lights is garnering extraordinary exposure for a new artist. The spotlight has proven beneficial for the group who already claims a Top 5 song on the Billboard Christian CHR chart with its lead single “Can’t Shut Up.” Anthem Lights’ latest single, “Can’t Get Over You” just released for adds at Christian Adult Contemporary radio on Friday, May 13.
Additionally, Anthem Lights fared well on early digital sales charts hitting the No. 2 position on iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart on its first day. Such numbers are supported by favorable critical reviews, with NewReleaseTuesday.com calling the album, “one of the strongest debut albums I’ve heard in long time,” and JesusFreakHideout.com affirming, “[t]his pairing of talented young men has potential to become a preeminent player in the world of Christian entertainment...”
Said acclaim will follow Anthem Lights back out on the road this summer, as the group makes appearances at 15 national festivals including Beach Blast, Atlanta Fest, Spring Celebration, SonFest, Alive Festival, Big Ticket Festival, Wonder Jam, Salvation Celebration, Lifest, KingsFest, SpiritSong, Kingdom Bound, Higher Ground Festival and Unity Festival. A major market fall tour will be announced shortly. For a complete list of tour dates, visit www.anthemlights.com/tour/.
Produced by duo Juan Otero and Seth Moseley, known as The Write Brothers (newsboys, Me in Motion), along with Rob Hawkins (Building 429, Fireflight), Anthem Lights’ 10-song debut carries a message of hope for believers and non-believers alike. From the contagious “Can’t Shut Up” and the danceable energy of “Outta My Mind,” to more tender moments like “I Wanna Know You Like That” and “Can’t Get Over You,” Anthem Lights infuses a little something for everyone on this stunning project. For more information and to view the group’s current music video, visit www.anthemlights.com
Provident’s Reunion Records unveils the signing of innovative, pop foursome Anthem Lights to its roster of award-winning artists as the outfit debuts two songs at Christian radio, and heads into the final weeks of its first national tour, playing 27 cities with MercyMe. With soaring vocals and hearts bent on ministry, Anthem Lights is set to release its infectiously melodic self-titled debut on May 10.
At radio, the project’s lead CHR single “Can’t Shut Up” breaks into the charts at No. 27. The lead AC single “I Wanna Know You Like That” is now adding as stations applaud the new track.
Johnny Stone, Program Director for Star99 in New York, says, “The first time I heard Anthem Lights and ‘I Wanna Know You Like That’ I knew I was listening to a top 5, if not a No.1 hit!”
Although the four extremely gifted vocalists did attend Liberty University at different intervals between 2003 and 2009, they didn’t all meet on campus. Instead, Anthem Lights can trace the group’s formation back to the fall of 2007, when singer/songwriter Alan Powell joined forces with then aspiring solo artist Chad Graham. Both were living in Los Angeles to pen songs for Graham’s solo effort. But providentially, it became clear that these powerful, harmonic songs were meant for a group. Within a matter of days, the pieces fell into place, when LU students—Caleb Grimm and Kyle Kupecky—came on board.
Produced by Juan Otero and Seth Moseley, known as The Write Brothers (Newsboys, Me in Motion), and Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Chasen), Anthem Lights’ 10-song debut carries a message of hope and purpose for believers and non-believers alike.
Powell notes, “We were intentional on being more than just another pop group. We understood our calling - - that we were meant to be more than ‘music business.’ We were called to share the Light we’ve been given. To build people up. To lead the way.”
Kupecky adds, “It comes down to the three things we love: music, entertainment, and Jesus... And the greatest of these is Jesus. We’re here to help people know who Jesus is and connect on a deeper level with Him. For those who don’t know Him, we want to make that introduction, to say ‘your life has a bigger purpose.’ There are such hedonistic messages in our culture—from music, movies and TV—‘if it feels good, do it,’ but we want to give them something that speaks to their soul, to encourage them and support them as they grow up in Christ. And for believers, we just really want to start a fire in them.”
With a wealth of songwriting talent and an arsenal of musical influences including dcTalk, Michael Jackson, One Republic, Stevie Wonder, Gavin DeGraw, tobyMac, and Justin Timberlake, Anthem Lights has fashioned a dramatic pop experience that is all their own.
Powell says of the band’s sonic approach, “We wanted it to sound big, textured, layered, to give you that feeling of being swept away, and to really connect with pop music fans. But we wanted it to have an edge too. Live instrumentation is important to us as a group, so we wanted to keep that authenticity and accessibility... incredible keys, real guitars and real drums. With those barometers, we were confident in our producers and their great musical sensibilities.”
Currently, Anthem Lights is performing with MercyMe, Jars of Clay, The Afters, Matt Maher and others on the “Rock & Worship Roadshow Tour,” playing 20+ markets through March 13 including Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and Sacramento.
Beginning March 24, Anthem Lights will perform 25 dates with Building 429 and Revive though
May 1, before kicking off a summer schedule packed with performances at 16 summer festivals, including AtlantaFest, Six Flags Great America, Carowinds – Sonfest, Alive Festival, Big Ticket Festival, Six Flags Wonderland – Wonder Jam, Lifest, Paramount’s Kings Dominion, King’s Island / SpiritSong Festival, Kingdom Bound, Higher Ground Festival, Unity Festival and Lifelight Festival.
Please visit www.anthemlights.com and www.facebook.com/AnthemLights to view new video of the guys, listen to the forthcoming album’s lead singles, and to check updated tour dates.
