FishFest Proves Christians Can Rock!

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Written by Chris Johnson

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 00:00

FishFest, the 10th annual Christian music festival by Transparent Productions and 95.9 “The Fish”, sold out the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre for the second year in a row this past Saturday. The show, which arguably, was harder to get tickets to then KROQ’s Weenie Roast last week, actually looked sold out instead of being “sold out on paper”. For Weenie Roast, there were some 400 tickets being sold on craigslist the morning of the event (Not including the 30 or so scalpers I saw in the parking lot!). For FishFest however, only about 20 listings – and no scalpers in the parking lot! Either people were afraid Jesus was watching, or people who bought tickets actually wanted to the concert instead of wanting to scam people. What a concept!

According to the FishFest brochure, last year, they were able to find 450 sponsors for Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults, according to their website. This year’s goal, get 500 children sponsored.

With help from Christian headlining acts TobyMac and Jeremy Camp, I wouldn’t be surprised if they surpassed their goal.

But unlike most music festivals which have whatever opening acts and one good headliner, the guys at Transparent Productions and 95.9 “The Fish” were trying to teach a lesson to music promoters everywhere, go big or go home.

And that’s exactly what they did.

The day was filled with music, activities, lots of great food, and if you chose to do so, there was a prayer tent available also. There were over 15 bands on three stages starting with Ready Set Go at 3:30 on the edge stage and ending with TobyMac on the main stage.

On the main stage, the Barlow Girl did something very special. Before I start I think it’s important to know that not only do I not know any of these bands, but my views on church might also disagree a bit with the majority of the people in the audience. Regardless, however, I was still here to enjoy the concert – and the Barlow Girl made it very easy.

From the minute the three sisters got on the stage I wasn’t sure if I was in a rock concert or a church, and that was all the fun about it. Took me a second to realize I was dancing to Jesus loving lyrics, something my aunt will love reading once this article is up! I remember being in the photo pit with a big smile thinking “These girls rock” – and rock they did.

Their short 30 minute set had everybody on their feet, eyes closed, and hands up in the air till the end. They even had help, when they sang an extended version of, “He loves Us”, repeating the lyrics, “He Loves Us, Oh How” with the sold out arena filling in as background singers and dancers.

The three sisters that made up Barlow Girl successfully showed everybody why they were the best-selling new Christian artist of 2004. Watch out 2010.

Would I be going to hell if I was to point out how attractive the Barlow sisters are?

The next band on the main stage was Jeremy Camp, a singer whom made most the girls in the audience crazy, and even some of the guys! He started off the set with “Give Me Jesus”, at which point, the security guards were on their toes trying to make sure people didn’t sneak down to the orchestra pit – as everybody wanted to get closer to Jeremy. Jeremy Camp has this rock-star’ish appeal that most Christian singers don’t. With great stage presence, a lot of energy, and a band supporting him that could easily be members of any mainstream group today.

Jermey’s 11 song set list included an intermission with pastor Greg Laurie, before finishing off the rock-n-roll’ish set with “Let It Fade”, “Never Let Go”, and “There will be a day”, that got my friends, who happen to be ticket holders up in the lawn, to continuously text me with messages like “OMG I AM SO JEALOUS YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO HIM!!!”

The main stage ended with TobyMac, a good ending to what was one great band after another. TobyMac, a Christian band that combines rock with hip hop thrown in with a bit of worship into what can only be described as a very entertaining and fun group.

This Christian Grammy award-winning artist wasn’t just wall music for those wanting to get home – because nobody was leaving at this time.

TobyMac’s front man, Toby McKeehan opened the set jumping around to “Tonight” and “I’m For You” and didn’t let up till the very end – only taking a small break between a few songs to praise God. The entire set list consisted of some 20 songs, some of which had only subtle references to Christianity and Jesus that even those that don’t believe in GOD could get into without realizing that they were rocking out to Christian music.

The day wasn’t only about the main stage though, the side stages had great musical performances from Farrah Fox on the Hansen’s Natural Family Stage. The young kids that make up Ready Set Go on the Edge stage opening for Thousand Foot Krutch and OC Supertones. With Three Union and Dean-O and the Dynamos just to name a few on the other stage. Sadly however, we were unable to cover all the stages.

On my way out of the concert, tired and starving, I knew one thing. Christians can rock out with the best of them.

Till next time.