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Breaking Darkness Music Festival
Sat, 2 Aug, 1:00 PM - 11:30 PM EDT
The Premier
109 11th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
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Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages

Christian Rock
Disciple
Disciple
Christian Rock
For Disciple, the music and the mission have always been one and the same: fervent faithfulness carried by a blistering hard rock sound. With 18 number one singles including smash hits like “Dear X (You Don’t Own Me),” “After the World,” “Erase” and “Promise to Live,” Disciple’s songs have been imbuing listeners with grace-focused hope for over 30 years.
The veteran Christian rock band was originally formed by high school friends in Maryville, Tennessee in 1992. Just a teenager at the time, founder and frontman Kevin Young was inspired to follow in the footsteps of bands who shaped his own belief — acts like Petra, Stryper and Whitecross, Christian bands who were scandalizing listeners of the time even as secular acts like Pantera, Skid Row and Def Leppard easily ruled the mainstream airwaves.
“The Christian music scene was completely different back then,” Young recalls. “Most of what was played on the radio seemed tame in comparison to the influences of my childhood, particularly punk and hard rock. I wanted to write and sing music that sounded like my culture but that also carried a message and reflected my values.”
The result was Disciple, a name chosen initially as a simple placeholder to represent the band’s core mission to be followers of Jesus Christ in all things. That commitment drove them through early independent records and across the South, playing concerts as a three-piece band. By 1997, their dedication had landed them their first record deal. By 2001, they were releasing their third album and navigating the harrowing challenges of road life as their following grew.

Christian Metal
Ignescent
Ignescent
Christian Metal
Female fronted Chicago rockers, Ignescent, is a rock band founded by Jennifer Benson. Ignescent is signed to Frontiers Records and consists of Jennifer Benson on vocals, Justin Smith on guitar, Evan Johnson on bass, and Kohl Coryell on drums. Since 2018, the band has been primarily touring throughout the United States and Europe. "Not Today" hit #1 on CMW Rock Billboard Charts and Ignescent's single, "Remnant", hit #46 on Billboard Rock Charts. Ignescent’s first CD, Electrified, was produced by 4 time Dove Award winning & Grammy Nominated producer Travis Wyrick (10 Years, P.O.D.) and recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville, Tennessee. The first song on the CD, “Calling Out to You”, was co-written with former lead guitarist of Skillet, Ben Kasica, and hit the the Billboard Rock Charts. Their song, "You Got Me", has been played on many radio stations including 95 WIIL Rock and their song "Exodus" was co-written with Jeremy Valentyne of New Years Day. Ignescent has had the honor of opening for Stryper, Flyleaf, Eve 6, Megadeth, Saliva, Lacey Sturm, Otep, Fight The Fury - featuring John Cooper of Skillet, Buckcherry, Dan Sperry of America's Got Talent, Meytal Cohen, Another Lost Year, Art of Dying, Letters From The Fire, Like a Storm and has played at fests with Switchfoot, Colton Dixon, Memphis May Fire, The Devil Wears Prada, Veridia, Building 429, Chris Tomlin, and TobyMac. Ignescent has also played on Vans Warped Tour, at world famous - Rock Fest - in Cadott, Wisconsin with Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Anthrax, Lita Ford, Slayer, and Sevendust, at Summerfest, and co-wrote a song with Sameer Bhattacharya of Flyleaf. Sameer played with Ignescent at their CD Release show in March 2022. Ignescent's song "Into The Night" was produced by Cameron Mizell (Memphis May Fire, Sleeping With Sirens) and has been played on many radio stations all over the world.
Ignescent is more than just a rock band, they are real people with real stories. These relatable stories are the inspiration and backbone of the songs with moving guitar riffs and a driving beat. Ignescent draws from their struggle and experiences with anxiety and depression to put a message of hope in their lyrics to encourage others that they are not alone. Their influences include Flyleaf, Evanescence, Jinjer, and Skillet.

Metal
Set For The Fall
Set For The Fall
Metal
From the foothills of North Carolina, Set For The Fall delivers a visceral blend of metalcore grit and melodic heart. Born from a place of purpose they are a force that’s unafraid to bare it all. Channeling their own fights with depression and anxiety into anthem albums that hit with raw aggression and vulnerability.

Metal
Counter
Counter
Metal
Counter is a female-fronted modern rock band hailing from Western North Carolina. They've carved out a unique niche with their "sugarcore" sound, a captivating blend of pop vocal hooks and metalcore guitars. Imagine the vibrant energy of bands like Dream State, Lacey Sturm, The Beautiful Monument, Ignescent, Red Hook, and Eyes Set to Kill, and you're getting close to Counter's vibe.

Metal
Igniting the Sky
Igniting the Sky
Metal
Igniting the Sky is a post-hardcore act that mixes a mile-wide streak of creativity and a bone jarring live show. A perfect mix of in-your-face aggression and sparkling softer side, Igniting the Sky thrives on its ability to mix the melted faces with brutally honest lyrics.

Adult Contemporary
Jennifer Alvarado
Jennifer Alvarado
Adult Contemporary
At just four years old, Alvarado started writing songs. Her passion for songwriting only comes second to her love for God. As a teenager, she began leading worship in her church and felt a call to ministry. Her first single “Relentlessly” was released in 2015 followed by her first Christian album "Hello Life" that consisted of 13 original songs.
She returned to her country roots with her single “I Break Things” that was released in early 2020. She released four additional singles during 2020. She has a passion for recovery ministry and wants to help give a voice to the voiceless through music.
Her first EP project titled ''Playing with Fire'' was released in April 2021. Her “Songbird” Project is a two part collection of songs that shows Jennifer’s growth as a writer and is sonically much different than her earlier projects. Part One was released in July 2022 and Part Two was released in July 2023.
She released a holiday EP "Christmas in Carolina" in December 2023 and is currently working on two new projects to be released in 2025. Her music has a country sensibility with a pop current running through it. Her voice is smooth and passionate with a sweetness and power that merge seamlessly into satisfaction for the listener. Her sound is a mixture of country, pop and blues that reflect an eclectic blend of influences.
She has been recognized locally for her songwriting and was named ''One to Watch'' by Nashville Songwriters Association in 2021, 2022 and 2024. She was named the “2021 Country Artist of the Year” by Indie Star Radio. Her song “Curious” won "Best Pop Song" for the Indie Songwriting Awards in Winter 2022. Her song “Rock This Way” was named “Best Pop Song” and “Best Overall Song” by the Indie Songwriting Awards in Spring 2022. Her duet “Starz Collide” with Canadian band, The Whythouse, was named “Best Duet” for the Summer 2022 Indie Songwriting Awards. She was a finalist for five International Singer Songwriter Awards, a Josie Award for Female Music Video of the Year, and a Carolina Music Award for Country Female Vocalist of the Year in 2022. Her song “Catfish” recently won a World Songwriting Award for Best Modern Country Song and she just received three Rampage Music Awards for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Album of the Year and Single of the Year.
She won Silver "Entertainer of the Year" at the International Singer Songwriter Awards in 2023, where she was nominated for seven awards total and was nominated for several of industry awards (see Awards page for full details).
She is currently nominated for two Carolina Country Music Awards for Christian Country Single of the Year "Jesus in a Bar" and Humanitarian of the Year. And recently won "Album of the Year" for her "Playing with Fire - Deluxe" at the Who's Hoo Country Awards.


