Vertical Worship

A worship and songwriting collective rooted at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, Illinois, Vertical Worship—previously known as Vertical Church Band—introduced its sweeping adult-alternative approach in 2012 via the release Live Worship from Vertical Church. Among the ensemble’s rotating lead vocalists, each already established with individual recording careers, were the singer-songwriters Meredith Andrews and Jon Guerra.

Following their pact with the Essential Worship imprint, the group guided that debut project into the upper reaches of the Billboard Christian and Heatseekers Albums rankings. Featured soloists on the album encompassed Andrews alongside Andi Rozier, Jason Ingram, Seth McConkey, and additional contributors. Two further projects arrived in 2013: the Vertical EP and the album The Rock Won't Move, the latter marking the band’s first appearance on the Billboard 200 at number 58. Late in 2014 they unveiled the White EP, then returned early the following year with Church Songs, their initial effort to claim the top slot on the Christian chart while also reaching number 31 on the Billboard 200. Their fourth studio album, 2016’s Frontiers, climbed to number 46. In 2017 Essential Worship compiled a ten-track self-titled anthology.

Two projects surfaced in 2018. Bright Faith Bold Future, spotlighting Jon Guerra, Sean Curran, and one sonic society, entered the Christian Top 25 during the year’s first half. Later came the live recording Planetarium EP, captured at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. The collective opened the ensuing decade with the full-length Grace Is on Our Side.