Red at the Highline Ballroom

Michael Barnes

Vocalist/pianist Michael Barnes became friends with guitarist Anthony Armstrong and bassist Randy Armstrong, identical twins, in the third grade in Linesville, Pennsylvania. After attending several Christian music festivals, they were inspired to become musicians. They became members of Ascension, playing covers of contemporary Christian music in youth centers around Erie, Pennsylvania. Eventually, they gravitated to hard rock. Upon finishing their education in 2002, they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where Barnes worked as a nurse and the Armstrongs worked in a mall. In 2004, they formed Red (also stylized R3D or RED), a name they chose because it was "short, meaningful, and easy to remember." Since 2014, the band's line-up has consisted of the core trio of the Armstrongs and Barnes with touring drummer Dan Johnson. Red's sixth album, Gone, will be released on October 27, 2017.

Red headlined at the Highline Ballroom last year on a tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of its debut album, and returned to the venue tonight to promote its new album. The set featured an overview of previous albums and introduced select new cuts, all showcasing a very emotionally-driven alternative hard rock that illuminated the complexities of the human experience. As such, each song was unique in how it delivered its potent message. Barnes frequently placed one foot on a stand and crunched at the waist with eyes clenched as he sang the high notes of a chorus,  and the band members were equally animated as they forged an alliance with Barnes' impassioned delivery. Yet, unlike many emo bands, this was not about wallowing in pain, but more about the healing and hope. Red's performance was a hard rock that was bright and beautiful.

Visit Red at www.redmusiconline.com.