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Christian rock music is sweeping the nation,
garnering sales and touching lives. But the
trend is complex. Despite its popularity, the holy
- genre has come under fire from some groups.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MASS CONCERTS
Riding the wave of Christian-themed introspective rock, Switchfoot has cashed in on hits such as "Dare You To Move," which won the band top spots on
secular and religious charts alike. More than 40 of the band's songs have been used for national television shows, including five on "Dawson's Creek."
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8Y JIM WALSH “I think people who come to the
ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR festival typically are supportive of
f i schedule goes something the music," said Bill Darpino, admin-
I like this: Pitch the tent, istrator of the nonprofit Creation * ,vi .*> ,*'
,;\ Rock out. Worship. Repeat. Festival, which organizes two of the
5 Across the country —on biggest Christian rock events in the ST £>'■' I
the barren plateaus of the Gorge United States. J
Amphitheater in George, Wash., and This summer, Darpino is oversee- ~*gg g
I between the roller coasters at Six Flags ing Creation East in Mt. Union, Pa., ’/, ' 1 1
Over Georgia, in the countryside of and Creation West in George, Wash. ~ Jifr J SyjBR
Illinois and the fairgrounds of western Together, the three-day festivals draw VdjfQ 1 *
New York - throngs are forming. tens of thousands of Christian rock /5 ,,8;
Thousands of young adults, pri- enthusiasts. '"
marily but not exclusively found in Tickets for these shows range in r .
the 12-to-29 demographic, arc pack- price from free for children under 5 BTj|HyV JB- ;; ? X
ing their bags for days-long concerts, to SIOO for adults at the gates. 4PH Wtk* ~
under the banner of Christian rock. The cost is on par with that of \
The names of the festivals tell other three-day festivals - tickets A,
the story Creation Festival, for the secular Bonnaroo concert in V;
Cornerstone, Kingdom Bound. Tennessee can cost as much as $l7O. Jj mg&r*™ 1 1 1
They are part of anew wave in And people are willing to pay. |
music-as-lifestyle, one that traces Since 1995, its first year on both
its roots to the days of Woodstock coasts, Creation Festival has solidi- photo courtesy of jeremy camp
and the politics of youth. They are a fied its place as the mammoth event
revival more than a revolution, and on the Christian rock scene.
they are pushing into the mainstream It’s not unlike similar festivals in
a genre once relegated to the outer New York and Illinois, which entice |
echelons of a pious fan base. concertgoers with multiple events I. if ■
Major labels are taking notice, including bike shows and dance I
and exclusively Christian production clubs, speakers and prayer tents. I I
companies are jumping at the chance At New York’s Kingdom Bound tl ; "
to sign the next big thing. festival, now in its 19th year, fans can
Meanwhile, a small but vocal attend teaching sessions four times j|f
contingent decries the popularity of a day and visit four separate stages. ■
Christian rock, saying its contempo- The festival is put on by nonprofit *HT:- [fcM■Mjjfal
rary style detracts from God's word, group Kingdom Bound Ministries. H | ’t
• And accusations abound that the Commuter tickets, for adults who l MtaMziL'v * %&■ i->r£~ ■% M&j&s j
message gets diluted by merchan- opt not to camp at the four-day event, vLtiPi!!- ' 1 aMg^
dising. which is held at Six Flags Darien 1
But that's not what matters to the Lake theme park, range in price from '-.‘V'L
faithful standing in those fields. For $75 to $95. * ;> h S |iBPP^B
them, Christian rock is an experience
to last a lifetime. SEE REDEMPTION. PAGE 8 photo courtesy of Manchester music
CREATION EAST CORNERSTONE KINGDOM BOUND
when: June 29 to July 2 when: June 30 to July 3 when: July 31 to Aug. 3
where: Mt. Union, Pa. where: Bushnell, 111. where: Buffalo, N.Y.
Creation East is the Atlantic leg of Cornerstone festival is one of the many Kingdom Bound, like Atlanta Fest in
Creation Festival, one of the biggest works of Jesus People USA, a Christian Georgia, is held at a Six Flags theme
Christian rock programs in the country. community based in Chicago that also park. At Six Flags Darien Lake, fans can
It features various speakers and events. manages a home for senior citizens. enjoy both rides and music.
Diversions
www.dthonline.com
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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2005