Easterfest: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:AGMF_logo.jpg|thumb|280px|AGMF logo]]Easterfest (previously known as AGMF) is held in [[Toowoomba]], [[Queensland]] at Easter each year. The organisers claim it to be Australia's most popular [[Christian pop]] music event{{Fact|date=November 2007}}, akin to the International [[Creation_Festival|Creation Festival]] or [[Cornerstone_Festival|Cornerstone Festival]]. {{Fact|date=November 2007}}. |
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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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The festival was first run in 1999[http://www.easterfest.com.au/2007/09/03/new-name-same-festival/], at multiple venues around [[Toowomba]], as opposed to 2001, where most events were held in [[Queen’s Park]] [http://www.bmm.qut.edu.au/client.php?sid=28&rid=627]. |
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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 organisers claim that over 40,000 people overall attended the 3-day music festival in 2005 [http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1333022.htm], which the organisers claim to be Australia’s largest drug and alcohol free event [http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=444]. |
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In May 2015, it was announced that Easterfest would not be continuing in 2016. |
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In mid-2007 the organisers announced a name change to "Easterfest"[http://www.easterfest.com.au/2007/09/03/new-name-same-festival/], to reflect the current diverse musical styles of the festival, which had long ago left any generally understood resemblance of Traditional Acoustic [[Gospel Music]]. To others this was alleged as just an attempt at re-marketing the Festival in order to counter the growing negative local nickname of "Fundy Fest"; because of ongoing issues with anyone within earshot. |
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== Festival History == |
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The organisers say the change of name to "Easterfest" was to take some of the confusion out of the many broad styles of music and entertainment on offer such as snowboarding, wine tasting and a "Kids Island." The name change is also to help define the event as a festival celebrating the true message of Easter[http://www.easterfest.com.au/2007/09/03/new-name-same-festival/. |
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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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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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The ticket price includes the massive expenses incurred in regularly providing and removing temporary facilities in Queens Park, some of which are already in situ at The New Showgrounds: some of the current temporary facilities are imported from as far away as Wagga Wagga. |
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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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The highly popular Festival appears to now be undergoing many similar problems (lack of future expansion space, rising expenses of temporary hire and transport, and potential loss of goodwill among the surrounding nearby locals) due to a long period of highly successful steady growth similar to that which the organisers of the [[Woodford Folk Festival]] had, which prompted a decision to move to dedicated grounds in order to avoid their similar problems and expenses. |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==Community Concerns== |
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*{{Commons category-inline}} |
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The festival is currently held in the middle of Toowoomba's city centre and is closely surrounded on several sides by residential housing, located not far from the original [[Toowoomba]] Show Grounds which were closed some years ago for allegedly being too loud for local residential housing{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. The Toowoomba Chronicle {{Fact|date=December 2007}} has acknowledged long term noise and illegal parking complaints. The Mother's Memorial surrounding grassy area has now been blocked off during the Festival to prevent some illegal parking which caused damage. |
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There are local concerns over the large number of people camping in areas with poor facilities. It alleged that a number of those attending most "Drug and Alcohol free" events will leave the grounds to obtain contraband. Locals have expressed concerns to the Toowoomba Council Aldermen about the number of drunk Teenagers in nearby parks. |
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[[Category:Music festivals in Queensland]] |
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An argument for the re-location of the whole Festival to the Tooowoomba Show Grounds is the issue of large areas of Public lands (Queens Park) being appropriated for a Commercial event which conflicts with Public School holidays; a large percentage of the park is fenced off and/or used for parking at a time when more families might be interested in using it. |
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The [[Toowoomba]] Mayor, City Council and Queensland State Government are well aware of documented measured excessive 90+ dB(C) noise levels at nearby housing; but the relevant Queensland Noise Laws only specify annoyance noise levels in the musically irrelevant dB(A): the dB(A) scale discounts both low and high frequencies strongly. The noise annoyance footprint has been regularly reported to range aggressively over 5 Km from Queens Park; the immediate locals yearly experience house rattling and other severe long term annoyances because of the large amount of [[Compression]] and Bass Boost used. Proceedings have been started to correct the scientific inadequacies of the appropriate Queensland legislation (which will eventually affect all Queensland Music Events), as the organisers allegedly do not wish{{Fact|date=December 2007}} to perform a suggested move to the New [[Toowoomba]] Show Grounds, currently located outside residential areas. |
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==Community Benefits== |
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According to an article (which was apparently sourced largely from claims by the Festival organisers) by The Queensland Uniting Church[http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=444], in 2005 the Festival allegedly brought an estimated $6.9 million to the local economy. |
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According to Cr Schneider of the Toowoomba City Council[http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=505&Itemid=231], in 2005 the Festival allegedly brought an estimated $6.9 million to the local economy. |
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The original alleged research{{Fact|date=December 2007}} of the alleged $6.9 million finanicial benefit claim is unsourced. |
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There was allegedly a subsequent report{{Fact|date=December 2007}} which questioned the validity of the 2005 claimed $6.9 million financial benefit to locals: it claimed to have traced large money flows for equipment and food supplies to many entities which were located outside of Toowoomba. |
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Since expensive temporary equipment is regularly trucked large distances to the Festival, it is clearly apparent that the regular hiring of some of such temporary facilities provides little financial benefit to the local community, not considering the inherent obvious ecological negativity. |
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With the upcoming amalgamation of [[Toowoomba]] and some of the surrounding Councils, claims that moving the event from the City Centre to the New Showgrounds will 'move it out of Toowoomba' are now negated. |
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==AGMF Past Artists== |
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No information is available for 1999-2004. |
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AGMF 2005 {{Fact|date=November 2007}}: included [[Soulframe]], [[Alabaster Box]], [[Brooke Fraser]], [[Delirious?]], [[Nathan Tasker]], [[Simeon]], and [[SONICFLOOd]]. |
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AGMF 2006 {{Fact|date=November 2007}}: God's Little Rocker, [[Naarah (singer)]] from [[Alabaster Box]], [[Roma Waterman]], and the girls from [[Maverick (group)|Maverick]], the [[Newsboys]], [[Pillar (band)]] and [[Rebecca St. James]] and others. |
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AGMF 2007 {{Fact|date=November 2007}}: [[Barlow Girl]], [[Blindside]], [[Day of Fire]], [[James Morrison]], [[Jimmy Needham]], [[Michelle Tumes]], [[PlanetShakers]], and [[Superchick]]. |
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[[Stacie Orrico]] was originally scheduled, but canceled her Australian trip. |
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[[The Lads]] (replaced by [[Soulframe]]) were scheduled, but canceled due to immigration problems. |
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==Projected Artists for 2008== |
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Currently, the advertised artist line-up for 2008 [http://www.easterfest.com.au/program/artists/] includes [[Jars of Clay]], [[Newsboys]], [[The Lads]], [[MxPx]], [[Project 86]], [[Alabaster Box]], and [[Antiskeptic]]. |
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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.thechronicle.com.au/ The Chronicle - Daily newspaper for Toowoomba and surrounding regions] |
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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
