Chart-topping country music band Emerson Drive played at Idaho State University on Friday, April 19. The concert was the culminating event of Springfest.
“Our fans up here have always been strong over the years and it just goes to show that country music is still going good here,” said lead vocalist Brad Mates.
The Pond Student Union Ballroom was full of enthusiastic music fans who readily sang along to Emerson Drive’s well-known hits, “Fall into Me” and “I Should Be Sleeping.” Mates led the show with unwavering energy, smiling when the audience loudly sang along with the band’s new single, “She’s My Kind of Crazy.”
The band’s sense of humor showed when Mates held a sing-off between guitarist Danick Dupelle and drummer Mike Melancon. Mates also told the story of Dupelle’s recently chipped front tooth, joking, “You can fit a straw through there now.”
Mates co-founded the band with his friends in high school. The group, originally from northern Alberta, had its first number one hit with “Moments” in 2006. During Emerson Drive’s Friday performance of the song, many concertgoers were moved to tears.
“Moments” narrates the story of a homeless man saving the life of a young man who planned to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. The two discuss the moments in their life that were memorable, leading them both to realize they’re stronger than they knew.
The band’s sound and songwriting abilities have evolved naturally since its self-titled debut album was released in 2002.
“We started our band when we were 15, 16 years old. From 16 to 35 is a big change,” said Mates. “I think lyrically, in most of the songs we write now, we pull from all the experiences that we go through. A few of us are married with kids, and I guess you see a different side of life that way as well.”
Mates said he has enjoyed seeing the changes in the band’s abilities.

“It’s great, it always evolves, it’s changing for me as a singer and as a writer,” he said. “I like that because I’m seeing things as a person and experiencing different things and it all helps when it comes to the writing process.”
Mates said the band plans to return to the area “whenever Idaho wants us back.”
A local band called The Outlaws opened for Emerson Drive. The band played primarily cover songs, mixing classics like “Fishin’ in the Dark” and “Friends in Low Places” with newer music like Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It for Me).” The Outlaws played some original music as well.