Imagine Dragons' 'Believer' Enters the Marching Band Arena: Kalamazoo Central Previews 2026 'Unbroken' Program

When a marching band selects its program, it's not just about the music — it's about energy, drama, and the kind of visceral impact that can fill a football stadium. This week, Kalamazoo Central's marching band offered a preview of its 2026 'Unbroken' program, and among the selections were two modern rock staples: Radiohead's 'Creep' and Imagine Dragons' 'Believer'. The inclusion of the latter is hardly surprising. Few songs from the past decade have proven as adaptable to the marching arts as Imagine Dragons' 2017 hit, a track that has become a staple for ensembles looking to bridge the gap between contemporary pop-rock and the time-honored traditions of field show performance.

The Enduring Stadium Anthem

'Believer' was released as the lead single from Imagine Dragons' third studio album, Evolve, in 2017. The song became a global phenomenon, topping charts and cementing itself as one of the band's signature tracks alongside 'Radioactive', 'Demons', and 'Thunder'. Its thundering percussion, chant-like chorus, and dynamic shifts make it a natural fit for marching band arrangements, where the emphasis is on volume, precision, and rhythmic impact. The song's themes of resilience and overcoming adversity also align perfectly with the 'Unbroken' title of Kalamazoo Central's program, suggesting a deliberate thematic throughline.

For Imagine Dragons, the continued presence of their music in spaces like marching band competitions and halftime shows is a reminder of their broad cultural reach. The band — fronted by Dan Reynolds and featuring guitarist Wayne Sermon and bassist Ben McKee — has long been known for anthemic, arena-ready rock. Their songs are built for large crowds, and marching bands operate in the same sonic universe: big, bold, and designed to be heard from the furthest reaches of a stadium.

From Halftime to Headlining

Imagine Dragons themselves are no strangers to massive live audiences. Since forming in Las Vegas in 2008, the group has become one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 74 million albums and 65 million digital songs sold worldwide. Their debut album, Night Visions (2012), launched them into the stratosphere with hits like 'Radioactive' and 'Demons', and they've since released a string of chart-topping records including Smoke + Mirrors (2015), Evolve (2017), Origins (2018), Mercury – Acts 1 & 2 (2022), and Loom (2024). Along the way, they've collected three American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, a Grammy, and an MTV VMA, among other honors.

Their songs have also become fixtures in sports stadiums. 'Believer' in particular has been used in countless commercials, video games, and athletic events, its driving beat and fist-pumping chorus serving as a call to action. That ubiquity is precisely why it works so well for marching bands: it's already ingrained in the cultural consciousness, and it carries an emotional weight that translates instantly to a live audience.

The Marching Band Connection

Marching band arrangements of pop and rock songs are a longstanding tradition. In recent years, ensembles have increasingly turned to contemporary hits to keep their programs fresh and relevant. Radiohead's 'Creep' — a 1992 alt-rock classic — offers a contrast to the modern intensity of 'Believer', giving Kalamazoo Central's show a dynamic arc that moves from brooding introspection to triumphant release. It's a smart pairing, one that showcases the versatility of the students and the timelessness of both tracks.

For Imagine Dragons, this kind of adaptation is nothing new. Their music has been featured in everything from Guitar Hero to the League of Legends World Championship (with the 2014 track 'Warriors'), and their songs have been covered by choirs, orchestras, and yes, marching bands around the world. It's a testament to the structural strength of their songwriting — the kind of sturdy, hook-driven compositions that can be reimagined in almost any format without losing their core identity.

What This Means for the Band's Legacy

While Imagine Dragons are currently between album cycles — their last full-length release was 2024's Loom, their first without longtime drummer Daniel Platzman — their music continues to live a vibrant second life in the wild. Marching band season may not generate headlines the way a stadium tour does, but it represents a different kind of endurance: the kind that comes from songs that become part of the fabric of American cultural rituals, from Friday night lights to national competitions.

Kalamazoo Central's 'Unbroken' program is set to premiere in the coming months, and audiences can expect a show that blends the moody atmosphere of 'Creep' with the explosive optimism of 'Believer'. For fans of Imagine Dragons, it's another reminder that their music isn't just played on streaming platforms — it's performed, reinterpreted, and celebrated in communal spaces where the volume is cranked and the energy is palpable. And for the students in the band, it's a chance to put their own stamp on a song that has already meant so much to so many.

As the 2026 marching season approaches, 'Believer' will ring out from fields across the country, just as it has for nearly a decade. It's a song that refuses to fade — much like the band that created it.