Red at the Gramercy Theatre

Red (sometimes stylized as RED and R3D) is a Christian hard rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2004. The band's current lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong and his brother bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. Red has released four studio albums, the latest being Release the Panic.

Red’s performance at the Gramercy Theatre tonight proved that the four-piece band is poised to complement or compete with the secular big boys. The stage backdrop seemed to depict a street alley, complete with street lights and graffiti murals, but with the addition of rows of lights shooting into the audience. The band’s sound was equally bright and crisp, meshing hard rock, post-grunge and industrial sounds with melodic choruses ripe for radio play. A fast-moving Barnes led the songs with strong vocals, from croons to screams, and the songs were distinct enough that no two songs sounded alike. Although Red’s recordings creatively incorporate the use of violin and cello, these programmed sounds were minimal in concert. With a set of pleasing melodies, catchy choruses, heavy riffs and a fiery live show, Red seems to have everything in place for a career of rock radio anthems.