Easterfest
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 or Cornerstone Festival.
Over 30,000 people have attended the 3-day music festival. It has been named Australia’s largest drug and alcohol free event.
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.
2008
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. 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.
So far, the artist line-up for 2008 includes Jars of Clay, Newsboys and The Lads.
2007
Headline artists for 2007 include: Barlow Girl, Blindside, Day of Fire, James Morrison, Jimmy Needham, Michelle Tumes, PlanetShakers, Superchic[k], and Soulframe. Stacie Orrico was originally scheduled to perform, but has since canceled her entire Australian Tour. 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.
2006
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.
Performances from major artists at the 2006 AGMF included the Newsboys, Pillar (band) and Rebecca St. James along with many others.
2005
In 2005, there were acts including Soulframe, Alabaster Box, Brooke Fraser, Delirious?, Nathan Tasker, Simeon, and SONICFLOOd.