Hillsong United Back In The US After Three Years; Aussie Worship Band Adds New Locations For ‘Empires’ Tour

Hillsong United

The Aussie worship band Hillsong United will be back to familiar stomping grounds as it adds new locations for its "Empires" North American tour, which kicks off in Baltimore, Md., on April 28 and concludes in Chicago, Ill., on July 30.

Pastor Joel Houston, leader of Hillsong United, said in a press statement that they haven't toured the United States since "Welcome Zion" in 2013 so they are very excited about going back.

"We write songs to be sung with people - they are always for the people - so when we get to sing these songs with people on the road, it is the purpose of why we do what we do!" he said. "We can't wait to worship with people singing all the new 'Empires' songs as well as everyone's favorites."

For its "Empires" tour, Hillsong United has signed on Rend Collective, an experimental worship band hailing from Northern Ireland, as well as American Christian singer Lauren Daigle.

According to Premiere Productions, tickets for "Empires" tour dates in April and May are already on sale while ticket booths for July tour dates will open on Friday, April 8.

Taya Smith, 26, said the North American tour is part of their ministry to spread the Gospel.

"Our hope always has been that people bring someone who doesn't know Jesus and who might not feel comfortable in a church, but would be okay with going to an arena," she said. "We are called to be invitational with the love, hope, mercy and grace that we have encountered ourselves."

Below is the schedule for Hillsong United's "Empires" tour in the U.S.:

APRIL Venue

4/28 Baltimore, MD | Royal Farms Arena

4/29 Boston, MA | Agganis Arena

4/30 Portland, ME | Cross Insurance Arena

MAY

5/2 Toronto, ON | Air Canada Centre

5/3 Cleveland, OH | Wolstein Center

5/5 Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum

5/9 Seattle, WA | ShoWare Center

5/10 Portland, OR | Moda Center

5/12 Boise, ID | Taco Bell Arena

5/14 Oakland, CA | Oracle Arena

5/16 Fresno, CA | Selland Arena

5/17 San Diego, CA | Viejas Arena

5/18 Los Angeles, CA | The LA Forum

JULY

7/18 Columbia, SC | Colonial Life Arena

7/19 Atlanta, GA | Announcement Coming Soon!

7/20 Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena

7/22 Oklahoma City, OK | Chesapeake Energy Arena

7/23 Houston, TX | Toyota Center

7/25 Denver, CO | Pepsi Center

7/27 Kansas City, MO | Sprint Center

7/28 Louisville, KY | Freedom Hall

7/29 Pittsburgh, PA | CONSOL Energy Center

7/30 Chicago, IL | United Center