Easterfest: Difference between revisions
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<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Agmf.png|thumb|200px|right|AGMF 06.]] -->The '''Australian Gospel Music Festival''' (AGMF) is held in [[Toowoomba]], [[Queensland]] at Easter each year. It is considered Australia's most popular Christian pop music event, akin to the International [[Creation_Festival|Creation Festival]] or [[Cornerstone_Festival|Cornerstone Festival]]. |
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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}} |
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[[File:Easterfest logo.jpg|thumb|280px|Easterfest mainstage]] |
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'''Easterfest''' (previously known as the '''Australian Gospel Music Festival''') was an annual three-day music festival held in [[Toowoomba]], [[Australia]]. |
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The first festival was held in 1999, with a mixture of successful and unsuccessful events. In 2001, the festival re-focused by holding most events in Queen’s Park (previously, events were held in multiple venues throughout the city). Since the initial move to Queen’s Park, the festival has grown and moved back to multiple venues, including the streets. |
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Over 30,000 people have attended the 3-day music festival. It has been named Australia’s largest drug and alcohol free event. |
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During the Easter weekend, most of Queen’s Park and some of Toowoomba's CBD was converted into an event precinct, with venue and residential tents, stages and other attractions. During the event setup and packdown, most of Queen's Park was inaccessible to the general public. |
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The festival was first run in 1999, held in multiple venues, as opposed to 2001, where most events were held at [[Queen’s Park]], [[Toowoomba]]. |
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In May 2015, it was announced that Easterfest would not be continuing in 2016. |
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==2008== |
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== Festival History == |
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It was announced in mid 2007 that the organisers have decided to change the name to "Easterfest". This was to reflect the diverse musical styles of the festival, having long left any resemblance of traditional (non-amplified) gospel music. |
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[[File:Guy Sebastian at Australian Gospel Music Fesitval 11 April 2004 (1).jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Guy Sebastian]] performs on Mainstage in 2004 before a crowd of 10,000]] |
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Some locals have suggested it was a deliberate attempt to counter the negative nickname of "Fundy Fest", given by the deafened locals to the Festival. |
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Tens of thousands of people attended the ticketed and free events during three-day festival in 2005,<ref>{{cite web |author=Smith, Phil |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1333022.htm |title='Australian Gospel Music Festival - ABC Queensland' |date= 2005-03-29 |accessdate=2008-01-06 }}</ref><ref name="Mullan01">{{cite web |author=Mullan, Catherine |date=2006-04-19 |publisher=Queensland Uniting Church |url=http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=444 |title='AGMF- it’s the vibe - Journey' |accessdate=2008-01-06 }}</ref> and over 20,000 tickets were allegedly sold in 2006. In 2009, about 40,000 people attended.<ref name="Chron02">{{cite web |author=Unattributed Editorial |date=2009-03-10 |publisher=The Chronicle |url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2009/03/10/easterfest-2009-festival-guide-christian-music// |title='Easterfest 2009 Festival Guide' |accessdate=2012-04-12 }}</ref> |
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In 2011, Easterfest announced late Saturday night that the program in the main venue, Queens Park, had been cancelled.<ref name="SunCD01" /> The creek running right alongside the entrance to the Queen's Park venue, which had been the scene of major flooding earlier this year, became a raging river, making for a precarious exit.<ref name="SunCD01" /> Organisers confirmed the tent had partially collapsed but there were no injuries and everyone had been accounted for.<ref name="SunCD01" /> Police were closing off roads as the torrential rain turned roads into rapids.<ref name="SunCD01" /> Numerous cars were abandoned after they stalled.<ref name="SunCD01" /> Ricky Robinson, 18, of Petrie, who was camping at the site said it was like a small river going through the area. The water was up to patron’s knees in the moshpit as the US band Switchfoot played on, despite the deluge. The lead singer Jon Foreman was climbing up the support structures for the giant display screens. "He was crazy. He was drenched pretty much" Ricky said.<ref name="SunCD01">{{cite web |author=Mark Furler in Toowoomba |date=2011-04-23 |publisher=Sunshine Coast Daily |url=http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/04/23/easterfest-hit-flash-flood/ |title=Easterfest hit by flash flood |accessdate=2012-04-12 }}</ref> Thousands of people were scrambling through rushing water as they exited Easterfest.<ref name="SunCD02" /> Security staff and volunteers first advised people to head to the Big Top but that too was being flooded so many just headed across East Creek to the city and higher ground.<ref name="SunCD02" /> Police and fire sirens only added to the drama.<ref name="SunCD02">{{cite web |author=Mark Furler |date=2011-04-25 |publisher=Sunshine Coast Daily |url=http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/04/25/storm-relives-terror-of-citys-inland-tsunami/ |title=20 minutes of fear at Easterfest |accessdate=2012-04-12 }}</ref> |
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So far, the artist line-up for 2008 includes Jars of Clay, Newsboys and The Lads. |
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In 2012, 20,000 were drawn to the festival.<ref name="Chron03">{{cite web |author=Unattributed Editorial |date=2012-04-11 |publisher=The Chronicle |url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2012/04/11/easterfest-gives-a-boost-to-business/ |title='Easterfest boosts business' |accessdate=2012-04-12 }}</ref> "The noise created by crowds and thumping bass at Easterfest has become one of Toowoomba’s most debated issues. Kevin Farmer, a local resident stated,<ref name="Chron04" /> "The city is split down the middle between those who love the music festival and its inner-city location and those who want it moved".<ref name="Chron04" /> Co-ordinator Mr Schenk said: "We did have at least one breach and worked closely with council to get the noise within the prescribed limit. The biggest challenge came on Saturday night when we had three or four of our venues operating at the same time after 10pm, when the limits drop. Any one stage was okay, but cumulatively they were over the limit."<ref name="Chron04">{{cite web |author=Chris Calcino |date=2012-04-12 |publisher=The Chronicle |url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2012/04/12/easterfests-noise-a-hot-issue-toowoomba/ |title=Easterfest's noise a hot issue |accessdate=2012-04-12 }}</ref><ref name="Chron05" /> Residents have established their own messageboard to publish their grievances.<ref name="Chron05">{{cite web |author=Chris Calcino |date=2012-04-14 |publisher=The Chronicle |url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2012/04/14/debate-rages-loud-and-clear-easterfest/ |title=Debate rages loud and clear |accessdate=2012-04-16 }}</ref> In the wake of the growing popularity of the festival residents have begun to question the publicly stated financial standing of the festival. The festival collects publicly funded subsidies which local government councillors say the festival would not be possible without. <ref name="QT">{{cite web |author=Chris Calcino |date=2013-10-10 |publisher=The Queensland Times |url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/councilcuts-fees-for-easterfest/2046259/ |title=Council questions Easterfest's reliance on public purse |accessdate=2013-10-10 }}</ref> Despite more than 20,000 visitors attending the event in 2012, Easterfest was not as financially successful as expected. <ref name="QT">{{cite web |author=Chris Calcino |date=2013-10-10 |publisher=The Queensland Times |url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/councilcuts-fees-for-easterfest/2046259/ |title=Council questions Easterfest's reliance on public purse |accessdate=2013-10-10 }}</ref> |
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==2007== |
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Headline artists for 2007 include: Barlow Girl, Blindside, Day of Fire, James Morrison, Jimmy Needham, Michelle Tumes, PlanetShakers, Superchic[k], and Soulframe. |
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Stacie Orrico was originally scheduled to perform, but has since canceled her entire Australian Tour. |
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New Zealand act The Lads were also originally scheduled to perform, but have since canceled their shows due to immigration problems. Soulframe have taken their place. |
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== |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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AGMF 2006 has partnered with God's Little Rocker to provide a girls' only party featuring [[Rebecca St. James]], [[Naarah (singer)]] from [[Alabaster Box]], [[Roma Waterman]], and the girls from [[Maverick (group)|Maverick]]. |
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Performances from major artists at the 2006 AGMF included the [[Newsboys]], [[Pillar (band)]] and [[Rebecca St. James]] along with many others. |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150601220308/http://www.easterfest.com.au/ Official Easterfest website (archive)] |
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*{{Commons category-inline}} |
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==2005== |
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In 2005, there were acts including [[Soulframe]], [[Alabaster Box]], [[Brooke Fraser]], [[Delirious?]], |
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[[Nathan Tasker]], [[Simeon]], and [[SONICFLOOd]]. |
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[[Category:Music festivals in Queensland]] |
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==Related pages== |
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*[[Christian pop]] |
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*[[Christian pop culture]] |
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*[[Sonfest]] |
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*[http://www.agmf.com.au/ Official website] |
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[[Category:Christian music festivals]] |
[[Category:Christian music festivals]] |
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[[Category:Christian popular culture]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:51, 4 November 2023
Easterfest (previously known as the Australian Gospel Music Festival) was an annual three-day music festival held in Toowoomba, Australia.
The first festival was held in 1999, with a mixture of successful and unsuccessful events. In 2001, the festival re-focused by holding most events in Queen’s Park (previously, events were held in multiple venues throughout the city). Since the initial move to Queen’s Park, the festival has grown and moved back to multiple venues, including the streets.
During the Easter weekend, most of Queen’s Park and some of Toowoomba's CBD was converted into an event precinct, with venue and residential tents, stages and other attractions. During the event setup and packdown, most of Queen's Park was inaccessible to the general public.
In May 2015, it was announced that Easterfest would not be continuing in 2016.
Festival History
[edit].jpg)
Tens of thousands of people attended the ticketed and free events during three-day festival in 2005,[1][2] and over 20,000 tickets were allegedly sold in 2006. In 2009, about 40,000 people attended.[3]
In 2011, Easterfest announced late Saturday night that the program in the main venue, Queens Park, had been cancelled.[4] The creek running right alongside the entrance to the Queen's Park venue, which had been the scene of major flooding earlier this year, became a raging river, making for a precarious exit.[4] Organisers confirmed the tent had partially collapsed but there were no injuries and everyone had been accounted for.[4] Police were closing off roads as the torrential rain turned roads into rapids.[4] Numerous cars were abandoned after they stalled.[4] Ricky Robinson, 18, of Petrie, who was camping at the site said it was like a small river going through the area. The water was up to patron’s knees in the moshpit as the US band Switchfoot played on, despite the deluge. The lead singer Jon Foreman was climbing up the support structures for the giant display screens. "He was crazy. He was drenched pretty much" Ricky said.[4] Thousands of people were scrambling through rushing water as they exited Easterfest.[5] Security staff and volunteers first advised people to head to the Big Top but that too was being flooded so many just headed across East Creek to the city and higher ground.[5] Police and fire sirens only added to the drama.[5]
In 2012, 20,000 were drawn to the festival.[6] "The noise created by crowds and thumping bass at Easterfest has become one of Toowoomba’s most debated issues. Kevin Farmer, a local resident stated,[7] "The city is split down the middle between those who love the music festival and its inner-city location and those who want it moved".[7] Co-ordinator Mr Schenk said: "We did have at least one breach and worked closely with council to get the noise within the prescribed limit. The biggest challenge came on Saturday night when we had three or four of our venues operating at the same time after 10pm, when the limits drop. Any one stage was okay, but cumulatively they were over the limit."[7][8] Residents have established their own messageboard to publish their grievances.[8] In the wake of the growing popularity of the festival residents have begun to question the publicly stated financial standing of the festival. The festival collects publicly funded subsidies which local government councillors say the festival would not be possible without. [9] Despite more than 20,000 visitors attending the event in 2012, Easterfest was not as financially successful as expected. [9]
References
[edit]- ^ Smith, Phil (29 March 2005). "'Australian Gospel Music Festival - ABC Queensland'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ Mullan, Catherine (19 April 2006). "'AGMF- it's the vibe - Journey'". Queensland Uniting Church. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ Unattributed Editorial (10 March 2009). "'Easterfest 2009 Festival Guide'". The Chronicle. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Mark Furler in Toowoomba (23 April 2011). "Easterfest hit by flash flood". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ a b c Mark Furler (25 April 2011). "20 minutes of fear at Easterfest". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ Unattributed Editorial (11 April 2012). "'Easterfest boosts business'". The Chronicle. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ a b c Chris Calcino (12 April 2012). "Easterfest's noise a hot issue". The Chronicle. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ a b Chris Calcino (14 April 2012). "Debate rages loud and clear". The Chronicle. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b Chris Calcino (10 October 2013). "Council questions Easterfest's reliance on public purse". The Queensland Times. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
External links
[edit]- Official Easterfest website (archive)
Media related to Easterfest at Wikimedia Commons
