By Laura Koenig | Echo
After Sidewalk Prophets' recent changes within their band, they now jokingly call themselves Sidewalk Prophets 2.0. The band is coming to Taylor this Saturday evening for Homecoming and Family Weekend as a part of their Prodigal Tour.
The changes within the 15-year-old band included one of the founding members transitioning into the role of band manager. Their drummer of nine years left to spend more time with his family.
"It's a scary thing when change occurs. It absolutely is terrifying," lead singer and co-founder of Sidewalk Prophets Dave Frey said. "I think about going to my first day of college. I didn't know a single person at Anderson University when I went there, but I was also so excited. I think I almost had that same feeling when we were writing 'Something Different.'"
Through these changes, the band knew that God's hand was with them. Instead of letting fear grip the group, they approached this change with excitement.
The transition also seeped into their new album, "Something Different," released on Aug. 28, 2015. Through the album and subsequent Prodigal Tour, the band strived to be open, honest and genuine with their fans through their music.
The Prodigal Tour, which is named after the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 and their single "Prodigal," aims to minister to a variety of people: both inside and outside of the church. The band stays away from "Christianese" and other exclusive terms, allowing all attendees to glean something from the show, regardless of their background.
"Our great desire for this tour is for the lost to come home, and there's a lot of people out there who don't even realize that they are lost and that they are far from home," Frey said.
The band also wants to continue giving their fans a family atmosphere, showing them love and appreciation. The show will give a family movie feel by including videos interwoven with their music.
As they grow in popularity, they want to continue to find ways to connect with their fans and make them feel more like family.
Frey said, "We need to find a way to remind them that the only thing that separates the band from the audience is the stage."
As an alumnus of Anderson University, Frey understands how students can get lost at a Christian school and feel the temptation to push Christ aside as they become overwhelmed by studies. He hopes the show reminds everyone they are loved. He also hopes that the audience will be reminded to pray for people in their lives who are lost.
"On top of that, we want people to go and give us Ivanhoe's," he joked.
Mike Falder, Taylor's executive director of development, contacted Sidewalk Prophets while brainstorming ideas for a band to play during Homecoming and Family Weekend. He texted Ben McDonald, current manager
and co-founder of Sidewalk Prophets, asking if they were available.
McDonald attended Falder's Campus Life high school club in Alma, MI. Falder worked for Youth for Christ while McDonald was a student leader. They quickly became friends, traveling and leading together.
With a wide variety of people on campus this weekend, Falder needed a band that would appeal to a broad range of tastes, from the class of 1966 to students.
"I think (Sidewalk Prophets) do a nice job of crossing a large demographic of people," Falder said. "I really can't think of a band who would be as interesting to people from young to old."
Students will have the chance to enjoy the show with the company of their friends and family visiting campus.
Freshman Shayna Darr is excited to spend time with her parents during the concert.
Darr said. "I am excited because I have not seen my parents since the beginning of the semester, and I think they will enjoy seeing Sidewalk Prophets."
The concert will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. in Rediger Chapel. For tickets, visit www.taylor.edu/sidewalkprophets. The first 100 students will receive five dollars off the price of their ticket.
