JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After two decades as a band, NEEDTOBREATHE says the feeling of walking into a studio or stepping onto a stage hasn’t faded — it has deepened.
“It hits a little differently now,” Josh Lovelace explained ahead of their upcoming Jacksonville show. “We feel very appreciative that we still have the opportunity to do it. A lot of people dream about being in a band, about reaching that moment. But they don’t always think about longevity.”
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For NEEDTOBREATHE, longevity has become the gift. Rather than taking it for granted, the band says time has brought perspective — and motivation.
“To get to live the dream as long as we have, it makes us want to try as hard as we can to keep doing it,” they said. “With every record and every tour, we want to be the best we can be.”
That mindset has helped the GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum group carve out a sound that blends rock, soul and pop — and continue evolving without losing their identity.
“We’re still figuring that out,” they said. “The most important thing is being true to yourself. What makes NEEDTOBREATHE sound like NEEDTOBREATHE is whatever we’re inspired by in the moment.”
That willingness to follow instinct has earned the trust of their fanbase, who have stayed with the band through musical and thematic shifts.
“If we’re inspired by something, we’ll chase it,” they said. “But it always feels like us because we’re listening to our gut. If we love it, hopefully that comes through in the music.”
Looking back at earlier albums brings mixed emotions — part nostalgia, part renewed appreciation.
“It’s a little bit of both,” the band said. “It can feel like flipping through an old photo album, but it also means something to fans in a really deep way.”
While NEEDTOBREATHE is often most excited about its newest work, touring has brought renewed attention to older songs longtime listeners still connect with.
“We have fans who tell us, ‘We’ve seen you 10 times, but you never play this one song,’” they said. “When you’ve been doing this for so long, you realize a song from your first record might mean the world to someone.”
To honor that connection, the band has made an effort to rotate setlists from city to city, making each show feel personal.
“It’s important that the fan feels like it’s a special night when we show up in their town,” they said.
That approach carries into their upcoming Jacksonville stop, part of an acoustic tour that strips things back.
“This tour has been a breath of fresh air,” they said. “It feels more like a songwriter night — sitting down, playing the songs, talking about them.”
The format allows the band to revisit deeper cuts while still delivering the songs fans expect.
“If you go see the Rolling Stones and they don’t play ‘Satisfaction,’ you’d feel like something’s missing,” they said. “So we try to blend the songs people love with ones we haven’t played in a while.”
Beyond the music, the band is also looking forward to Florida’s warmer weather after a winter filled with storms, ice and unpredictable conditions.
“We’re excited for some sunshine,” they said. “We love playing Jacksonville. It’s always fun to come back.”
As NEEDTOBREATHE looks ahead, the excitement feels fresh — especially with a new album on the way.
“We’re putting out a new record in March, and every record still feels like the first in some ways,” they said. “We’re always trying to make the next record our best one.”
Titled Long Surrender, the upcoming release represents what the band says is a new beginning — fueled by inspiration, gratitude and a genuine love for making music together.
“We don’t really have an end in mind,” they said. “We just love this. And as long as people want to hear it, we’ll keep showing up.”
NEEDTOBREATHE brings that spirit to Jacksonville soon, promising a night rooted in connection, storytelling and the kind of music that’s grown alongside its audience for 20 years.