Christian Music Online

giant Christian music festival

June 3, 2005 – 6:46 pm

Thousands of fans enjoy giant Christian music festival Powerful music. Uplifting speakers. A positive atmosphere. An excellent facility.

All of this was enjoyed by thousands of Christian music fans during Memorial Day weekend at Spirit West Coast at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in northern San Diego County.

The second annual Del Mar festival was a big success, bringing together more than 50 musical artists along with a wide range of other attractions.

Terrific headlining performances were given by three bands which have built a solid fan base thanks to many years of touring and recording - Audio Adrenaline, the Newsboys, and Third Day.

The Newsboys have become increasingly popular due to their focus on creating rock worship music, and their rendering of splendid tunes such as “You Are My King (Amazing Love)” was one of the highlights of the festival. (Vocalist Peter Furler is pictured above.)

Tree 63, another group which churns out excellent worship songs on a regular basis, also lit up the Air 1 Grandstand Stage with an inspiring set.

Other bands satisfied a wide range of musical tastes. The most extreme (but good) sounds were found at the Tooth and Nail Stage, where Project 86 and others whipped fans into a frenzy.

The veteran band Petra attracted a large throng for its farewell show, and at the other end of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Charity Von showed that she has much potential due to her mighty voice.

Among the other strong acts were Kutless, Building 429, and KJ-52.

One of the few drawbacks of the concert scene came when some bands’ vocalists stopped singing and just kept talking to the audience for far too long. They should have left most of the talking to the speakers and comedians who were at the festival. (One exception: It was great that a few of the singers encouraged fans to support worthwhile humanitarian organizations such as Compassion International.)

INCLUDED in the three-day festival were many activities for children, along with teen-friendly fun at the motorcycle stunt shows.

Many adults, meanwhile, were enthralled by the unique paintings that were created and sold by Charlene S. Rice, a Fontana-based artist.

Rice said Spirit West Coast was a good opportunity for her to “represent Christ in an edgy format that isn’t traditional.”

Rice, inspired by her pastors at Mt. View Faith Community Church, has used her “new emerging style” of painting to good effect.

THE ORGANIZERS of Spirit West Coast-Del Mar will be presenting two more big events in the upcoming months:

€ Spirit West Coast-Monterey will be held in northern California on July 28-30, showcasing another huge lineup of great bands (including many repeats from the Memorial Day festival such as Third Day and the Newsboys).

€ Much closer to home, a brand new hard rock festival, Rock the Park, will take place at Prado Regional Park in Chino on Oct. 14 and 15. This 30-band event will feature Number One Gun and Pax 217, among many others.

For more information about these events, call (831) 443-5399
By RUSSELL INGOLD

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