Hillsong United Coming to Battle Creek's Van Andel Arena, 8/15

Hillsong United, the contemporary Christian group from Australia, is coming to Grand Rapids for the first time, appearing Aug. 15 in the Van Andel Arena. A 36-hour long exclusive pre-sale beings at 10 a.m. June 1 and runs until 10 p.m. on June 2 at Ticketmaster. 

The seven-member band from "Down Under," fronted by Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and JD plays only limited tours of the United States, and only large venues such as Van Andel Arena. The closest they've come to West Michigan previously has been Chicago.

The limiTed August tour to North America, so far, includes stops in Pittsburgh, Tampa and Miami in Florida, and Camden, N.J. just outside Philadelphia. 

Celebration Cinema North hosted a screening of the group's concert film "We're All In This Together" in November 2009. Hillsong United released another full-length film, "I Heart," this past November before taking a break from touring and performing before recording their latest album, "Aftermath," released earlier this year in February.

For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com and use promotional password "aftermath".