The Brilliance, the genre-defying musical collective led by David Gungor and John Arndt, stop by The Clyde in Fort Wayne on May 30 for what is sure to be a thought-provoking show.

If you call yourselves The Brilliance, you need to be good. These guys hold up their end of the bargain by presenting beautiful, stirring, provocative shows that are carefully crafted to offer a well thought-out vision. Known in the past for pushing the boundaries of worship music, The Brilliance offered a unique blend of liturgical lyrics and stunning compositions that appealed to a variety of audiences. Yet when encountering a live performance, you get the sense that there is something more classical and grassroots about the band.

The fact that Gungor is a pastor and Arndt isn’t also forces them out of this niche. That’s why, in 2017, the duo decided to branch out and create music outside the church genre so that “more people can connect to it with the same spirit behind the music,” they said on their website.

In a world that seems to be splintering infinitively every day, The Brilliance strives to create music that bears witness to the forgotten and sacred task of mending the divides.

Inspired by their hometown of New York City, The Brilliance now write culturally engaged music which deftly blends classical sounds of cello and piano with modern beats, infectious pop hooks, and prophetic lyrics.