Rend Collective (formerly known as Rend Collective Experiment) is a Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band originating from Bangor, Northern Ireland. The current lineup consists of Chris Llewellyn, Steve Mitchell, Wil Pearce, Jonathan Chu and Daniel Jones.
History
The band was established under the name of Rend Collective Experiment between 2002-2003 during a point which drummer Gareth Gilkeson described as "a bunch of us trying to figure out life. Before the formation, most of the members were part of the "Rend" young adults ministry at Bangor Elim Church to where Gilkeson preached and Llewellyn led worship." While the group comprises over 15 members, the band tours and records with 6 members. The remaining members are there for support and to encourage the band "spiritually, musically, and missionally." They explained noticing a sense of hostility from the modern culture towards the church and Christians therefore sought to create music that would draw such individuals spiritually and encourage them to come back to church.
The band's first studio album Organic Family Hymnal was released on 28 September 2010. Their second studio album Homemade Worship by Handmade People was released on 10 January 2012. Both records were released by Kingsway. Their first live album Campfire was released on 29 January 2013 with Integrity. Campfire included live, outdoor recordings of songs previously released on Organic Family Hymnal and Homemade Worship by Handmade People. The audience for the recording were crowd-sourced using Facebook and Twitter.
Rend Collective was on the And If Our God Is for Us... Tour with Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels in the spring of 2011. They toured with Kari Jobe on the Majestic Tour.
In 2014, Rend Collective toured with the RESET Movement, as part of their musical ministry involving Lacey Sturm (formerly of Flyleaf); spoken-word artist Propaganda; worship leader Dave Lubben; DJ Efechto; International House of Prayer worship artist Matt Gilman; and singer/songwriter Morgan Harper Nichols.RESET Movement description, incl. Rend Collective from Turning Point News Today, accessed 20 May 2014
Their third studio album, The Art of Celebration, was released on 17 March 2014. Their fourth studio album, Campfire Christmas (Vol. 1), released 19 November 2014. Their fifth studio album, As Family We Go, was released on 21 August 2015. Their second live album, Campfire II: Simplicity, was released on 7 October 2016. Their sixth studio album, Good News was released on 19 January 2018. Their seventh studio album, Choose to Worship, was released during the COVID-19 pandemic on 27 March 2020. Their eighth studio album, Whosoever, was released 26 August 2022.
Gareth and Ali Gilkeson eventually left the band. Following Llewellyn's release of a solo album, Honest, in September 2023, the band released a new album entitled FOLK! in November 2024. The album was co-written by Llewellyn and fellow band member Stephen Mitchell. As of 2024, the band's line-up consisted of Llewellyn, Mitchell, Will Pearce, Jonathan Chu and Daniel Jones.
Rend Family Records Their first signee to the label is Urban Rescue, from Los Angeles, California.
Members Current
Chris Llewellyn – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, ukulele (2007–present) Steve Mitchell – bass guitar, banjo, piano, mandolin, guitar, backing vocals (2013–present) Wil Pearce – electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, backing vocals (2021–present) Jonathan Chu – fiddle (2020–present) Daniel Jones – drums (2024–present)
Former Will Herron – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, multi-instrumentalist (2022–2023) Bridget Herron – female lead and backing vocals (2023) Patrick Thompson – electric guitar, banjo, various strings, backing vocals (2007–2020), bass guitar (2007–2013) Bobby Russell – bass guitar, piano (2012–2013) Gareth Gilkeson – drums, percussion, band leader (2007–2023) Ali Gilkeson – keyboards, female lead/backing vocals, auxiliary percussion, accordion (2007–2023) Thomas Ewing – electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, backing vocals, violin (2021–2023); left for Tenth Avenue North
Discography Albums Year Album Peak chart positions Sales UK UKC&G AUS CAN US USChrist. USHeat. 2010 Organic Family Hymnal Release date: 28 September 2010 Label: Kingsway Format: CD, digital download — — — — — 47 — US: 428,000 2012 Homemade Worship by Handmade People Release date: 10 January 2012 Label: Kingsway Format: CD, digital download — 6 — — — 23 14 2013 Campfire Release date: 28 January 2013 Label: Independent Format: CD, digital download — 1 — — 97 7 — 2014 The Art of Celebration Release date: 17 March 2014 Label: Integrity Format: CD, digital download 28 1 — — 13 1 —US: 75,000 Campfire Christmas, Vol. 1 Release date: 17 November 2014 Label: Rend Family Records/Capitol/Sparrow Format: CD, LP, digital download — 1 — — 61 4 — 2015 As Family We Go Release date: 21 August 2015 Label: Rend Family Records/Capitol/Sparrow Format: CD, LP, digital download 19 1 — 21 33 1 — 2016 Campfire II: Simplicity Release date: 7 October 2016 Label: Rend Family Records/Sparrow Format: CD, digital download — 1 — — 99 3 — 2018 Good News Release date: 19 January 2018 Label: Rend Family Records/Sparrow Format: CD, LP, digital download 85 1 97 51 70 1 — 2019 Sparkle. Pop. Rampage. Release date: 30 August 2019 Label: Rend Family Records Formats: CD, digital download — 3 — — — — — 2020 Choose to Worship Release date: 27 March 2020 Label: Rend Family Records/Capitol CMG Format: CD, LP, digital download — 1 — — — 3 — 2020 A Jolly Irish Christmas (Vol. 2) Release date: 23 October 2020 Label: Rend Family Records Format: CD, digital download — 2 — — — — — 2022 Whosoever Release date: 26 August 2022 Label: Rend Family Records/Capital CMG/Sparrow Records Format: CD, digital download — 5 — — — — — 2025 Folk! Release date: 6 June 2025 Label: Rend Family, Capitol CMG Format: CD, LP, Digital download — 17 — — — — — Christmas in Belfast Release date: 9 December 2025 Label: Rend Family, Capitol CMG Format: Digital download — — — — — — —
Extended plays Christmas in Belfast (2025) The Evergreen Season (2026)
Mixtapes Album details Track listing Build Your Kingdom Here (A Rend Collective Mix Tape) Release date: 19 May 2017 Label: Integrity Format: CD, digital download
Singles Year Title Peak chart positionsCertifications AlbumUSChrist. USChrist. Airplay USChrist. AC UKChrist. 2012 "Second Chance" 24 — — Homemade Worship by Handmade People 2013 "Build Your Kingdom Here" 12 19 —2014 "My Lighthouse" 17 22 24 — RIAA: Platinum The Art of Celebration2015 "You Will Never Run" 19 18 21 — As Family We Go 2016 "Joy of the Lord" 25 21 20 — "Every Giant Will Fall" — 40 — —2017 "Rescuer (Good News)" 15 9 20 — Good News2018 "Counting Every Blessing" 8 4 6 — RIAA: Gold2019 "Your Name Is Power" 13 7 8 — Choose to Worship "Revival Anthem" 50 — — —2020 "Sing It from the Shackles" — — — — "I Choose to Worship" 44 37 — — "Today Is the Saviour's Day" — — — — A Jolly Irish Christmas (Vol. 2) "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" — — — — "My Advocate" — 34 — — Choose to Worship2021 "Year of Victory" — — — — Choose to Worship2023 "Hallelujah Anyway" — 4 — — Whosoever2025 "Fight of My Life" 35 22 27 — Folk!2026 "Salt and Light" — — — 2 The Evergreen Season "Do It All Alone" 46 — — 6 "Evergreen" — 34 — 2
Other charted songs Year Title Peak chart positions AlbumUSChrist. USChrist. Airplay USChrist. AC UKChrist. 2025 "A Christmas Hymn" 44 14 6 — Christmas in Belfast "Mary Did You Know" — 17 14 — 2026 "Runaway Heart" — — — 6 The Evergreen Season
EPs Album details Track listingChristmas Release Date: Label: Format:Irish Release date: Label: Format: Jolly Release date: 23 October 2020 Label: Rend Family Records Format: CD, digital download Hallelujah Anyway Release Date: 17 November 2023 Label: Sparrow Records, Capitol CMG Format: Digital Folk (pt. 1) Release date: 25 October 2024 Label: Rend Family Records/Capitol CMG Format:
Awards and nominations GMA Dove Awards
! |- | 2018 | Good News | Worship Album of the Year
| 2019 | "Counting Every Blessing" | Song of the Year
| 2020 | Sparkle. Pop. Rampage. | Children's Album of the Year
| 2026 | Folk! | Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
Notes
References
External links
Artist page at News Release Tuesday Artist page at AllMusic