Somehow, I keep finding God in the middle of sweaty rock and roll venues.
Music has always been a big part of my life, especially now that I’m in college and always need a soundtrack for my homework assignments. As a second-year multimedia journalism major, my life is busy. But there’s something about alternative rock that has always brought me peace even in the middle of my chaos, and noisy rock concerts have often felt like sanctuaries.
Nearly every time I go to an alt-rock concert, there’s often a point in the show when it feels like God has taken the mic and is whispering truth that my heart desperately needs to hear. That’s what the Gable Price and Friends show at the House of Blues on Oct. 1 felt like for me.
Although they’re not necessarily a Christian band, Gable Price and Friends’ alternative-rock music profoundly speaks to the human experience. With lyrics about everything from anti-depressants to falling in love, front-man Gable Price has penned heartfelt songs that are quickly gaining traction and have often met me with hope exactly when I’ve needed it. Hailing from Redding, California, the band is now bringing their music live to fans country-wide on their “Jungle in the City Tour.”
“[This has] been our longest tour by country mile,” Price said. “Right now [in San Diego], we’re 32 shows in and there’s 37 total. We’re in the final stretch. It’s been an amazing tour – best turnouts we’ve had.”
I had always heard about the energy of a Gable Price and Friends show, but nothing could prepare me for how energetic it actually was. I was close to the front, and we were all dancing and screaming every word of every song at the top of our lungs. It was like group therapy in the form of alt-rock as we collectively sang, “You’ve just gotta keep your head straight, and your hopes up, and your heart right.”
“Pretty much every [song] we’ve written has been with the live show in mind,” Price said. “I feel like [a live show] is the purest form of Gable Price and Friends. The driving beats, the forward instruments, the running around… I feel like the live show encapsulates what we’re trying to do here.”
What stood out to Lana Bertelli, a third-year dietetics and Christian studies double major, about Price’s music is how intentional his lyrics are. She said you can clearly see the message of our hope in Christ through their music.
With songs containing lyrics like, “There’s a hole in my heart and it’s shaped like you,” and, “If the land I take is another step away from you, I don’t want it,” there’s a raw honesty and intimacy with God found even in these alt-rock anthems.
“It’s a personal belief of mine that you don’t have to sing ‘My God is greater, my God is stronger’ for it to be Christian music,” Vivyan Gripp, a second-year engineering major, said. “It’s more about using [the gifts] God has given us, praising Him, and fellowshipping with your friends. I really appreciate that about [Gable Price and Friends].”
The night closed with an electrifying performance of the band’s hit song “I Need You,” followed by Price yelling to the crowd, “God bless, and be a good friend.” Words to live by until the next time they bring their music to the California coast.
So, yes. I find God in the middle of sweaty rock and roll venues in downtown San Diego because He always shows up in ways we least expect. He’s all around us; in the sun setting over the cliffs and the lyrics and energy of a three-and-a-half minute alt-rock song. Thanks for an unforgettable night, Gable Price.
Following the concert, on October 4, Gable Price and Friends released the last song on their Jungle in the City EP called “Think With Your Chest.” It’s available now on all platforms.
