My family and I just returned from LIFEST which is Wisconsin's largest Christian music festival.
LIFEST began in 1999 at Sunnyview Expo Center outside of Oshkosh, WI with over 60 acts on four stages over 4 days. Some of the bands the first year included Supertones, Michael W Smith, Switchfoot, Third Day and dc Talk. Other activities included camping and a Kidzone area of children's activities.
Over the years it has grown to over 70 bands as well as 24 speakers and entertainers with seven venues. This year over 70,000+ people attended over the 4 days. It also included a 5K Benefit Run, Blood Drive, Art Space, Petting Zoo, Basketball, Volleyball, Inflatables and a Ferris Wheel. Here is my view from the Ferris Wheel as crowds began to gather for the grandstand stage.
Thursday night I attended the Newsboys concert. They are one of my favorite bands.
The Newsboys came on the scene as a Christian rock band from Mooloolaba, Australia in 1985 with band members Peter Furler, John James, and George Perdikis. The last original member, Peter Furler, left in the band in 2009 and the current band is Jody Davis (guitar, 1992), Duncan Phillips (drummer, 1993) and Jeff Frankenstein ( keyboards & bass, 1994) and Michael Tait (vocals, 2009). I attended an artist talkback session at Lifest two years ago.
I attended my first Newsboys concert in 1995 in Rockford, IL and have seen them in New Orleans; Springfield, Mo; Wisconsin Dells; and Lifest . Newsboys give 110% when they perform and their concerts are always awesome. I love so many of their songs I couldn't pick a favorite. The singing is great and I love when Duncan Phillips does his drum solo.
Its not just a solo, Duncan is strapped in to the platform and the whole drumset is on a hydraulic lift that raises up, tips forward, and SPINS.
I look forward to sharing more of my favorite Lifest bands and speakers with you in future posts. If you like CCM follow to see future posts.
All photos & video original to Wrladyhawk