Christian supergroup Newsboys 'Step Into the Light' with Pittsburgh date

Christian music supergroup Newsboys will “Step Into the Light” on Oct. 28 in Pittsburgh, as its 17-city tour by that name comes to the University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Events Center.

The show begins at 7 p.m. and also features special guests Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Cade Thompson and Adam Agee.

Long popular in Christian music circles, Newsboys formed in 1985 in Australia and has since released 17 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold. Their latest album, “Stand,” was released on Oct. 4.

Among the group’s hit singles are “Shine,” “Take Me to Your Leader,” “It Is You,” “He Reigns” and the eponymous theme song from the 2014 movie, “God’s Not Dead.”

Four Newsboys albums have been nominated for Grammy Awards in the pop, rock, gospel and contemporary gospel categories. The group has won four Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Video Award and a Nashville Music Award.

The band’s lineup has changed over the years, with current members including drummer/percussionist Duncan Phillips, guitarist Jody Davis, bassist Jeff Frankenstein and vocalist Michael Tait, formerly a member of another Christian supergroup, dc Talk.

Touring with Newsboys is a big career boost for Thompson, 20, whose music blends pop and soul influences with Christian themes.

“This is my first big arena-convention center-theater tour,” he said. “My booking agent called me early in the year and asked me, ‘Do you wanna go on tour with the Newsboys?’ I said, ‘Well, of course I do!’”

Bigger story

Thompson’s debut album, “Bigger Story,” was released Sept. 10. His previous radio singles include “Provider” and “Every Step of the Way.”

He says the album, for which he co-wrote all the songs “is very fresh, both sonically and lyrically. It ties in elements of my personal story with the bigger story, which is the gospel.”

A Missouri native, Thompson grew up in South Dakota. His mother was involved in ministry, so he was always exposed to Christian music.

It was during middle school that his faith went from “head knowledge to heart knowledge,” he said. He also branched out from singing at church and school and went on his first small tour at age 16.

Now living in Franklin, Tenn., Thompson eventually caught the ear of Jay DeMarcus of country group Rascal Flatts and signed with DeMarcus’ Christian music label, Red Street Records.

He cites TobyMac, Matthew West and Phil Wickham among his contemporary Christian music influences, with One Republic and Coldplay on the pop side.

“I look up to Matthew West and others who can step into the culture and write songs that most people can relate to,” he said. “I want my songs to speak to people, and then the power of the gospel speaks for itself.”

Mandisa finished in ninth place on Season Five of “American Idol.” Her album, “Overcomer,” won a 2014 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Among her best-known songs are “Good Morning,” “Stronger” and “Bleed the Same.”

Originally from Ireland, We Are Messengers has been based in the United States since 2015. The group’s self-titled, first studio album hit the top 10 on Billboard album charts and top 15 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts in 2016.

Singer-songwriter Adam Agee is a founding member of Christian pop/punk band Stellar Kart and also has performed with Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline.

Tickets to the “Step Into the Light” Pittsburgh date are $15-$89.75. To purchase, visit peterseneventscenter.com.