Now Easterfest will be the largest celebration of Easter in this country, bringing art, music, drama, debate and extreme games to an amazing complex of stages and arenas.

Toowoomba’s beautiful Queen’s Park, in the CBD, becomes a camping ground with acres of tents surrounding the multi-stage compound. The council, churches and businesses have grown the event together, so there’s no shortage of stories and interviews. Possibilities are everywhere you point a microphone or camera: the tent city, extreme sport arenas or the main street stages. On Sunday night the open-air worship service closes the city’s churches and draws more than 10 000 people.

And can they sing? If there were a roof it would lift.

Musically, Easterfest ranks alongside Tamworth. Easterfest bills classical to metal, punk to jazz, with bands from around Australia and overseas. On stages there are local bands trying to make it big and platinum-selling international acts including The Newsboys. Australian Idol’s Matt Corby will take to the main stage.

The range of discussion is endless. The chai tent looks like a throw back to the Jesus Freak Seventies. In the coffee shops folk will discuss Jesus and politics, God and gender issues, salvation and sexuality.

Guest speakers will include Australian Christian Lobby’s Brigadier Jim Wallace, former Commander SAS. The XXX Porn Church’s pastor Craig Gross will be fresh from ABC America’s national televised debate on the impact of pornography. Biker preacher and social commentator Dr. John Smith will stir the possum.

Easterfest is a rare community festival, taking place on the streets, in the shopping malls and the gardens. That’s why Toowoomba at Easter attracts people from all over Australia and the world.

Go to www.easterfest.com.au to begin planning your coverage.

For further information contact:
Phil Smith. Easterfest Media Centre Coordinator. 0414 823125 or 61 7 3882 3490
Easterfest Office. 61 7 4632 6921

Easter is crazy early this year and now there is only 3 weeks to go until Easterfest 08!

The Easterfest office is going crazy - lots of late nights, very little sleep… and very soon hundreds of semi-trailer loads of gear will start rolling into Queen’s Park!

Matt, who came second on the recent reality TV show won a huge following with his incredible voice, quirky style, model good looks and musicianship.

But according to festival organiser Isaac Moody, Matt is also a natural performer.

“I recently had the opportunity to see Matt perform live on the ‘Winner’s Journey’ tour. He really is one of the most talented performers to emerge from Australian Idol.” Mr Moody said.

Matt, together with a full live band, will appear on the massive Heritage Mainstage.

“It is fitting that Matt Corby has the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people at our region’s largest event.” said Mr Moody.

In addition, Matt is scheduled for an exclusive guest appearance at Grand Central shopping centre on Easter Saturday.

Further information can be found at www.easterfest.com.au

Tickets are available from Grand Central Shopping Centre, or online at www.easterfest.com.au

ENDS

For further information contact Isaac Moody:
Phone: 07 46383 911.
Email: isaac@easterfest.com.au

AUSSIE IDOL FINALIST TO HEADLINE EASTERFEST

Ending months of speculation about the Easterfest 08 ‘Mystery Artist’, Easterfest announced today that Australian Idol finalist, Matt Corby will appear at the festival.

Matt, who came second on the recent reality TV show won a huge following with his incredible voice, quirky style, model good looks and musicianship.

But according to festival organiser Isaac Moody, Matt is also a natural performer.

“I recently had the opportunity to see Matt perform live on the ‘Winner’s Journey’ tour. He really is one of the most talented performers to emerge from Australian Idol.”

Matt, together with a full live band, will appear on the massive Heritage Mainstage.

Matt is also scheduled for an exclusive guest appearance at Grand Central shopping centre on Easter Saturday.

After two years touring the US, Alabaster Box is returning to Australia for a whirlwind national ‘album-launch’ tour with the Newsboys including a Mainstage appearance at Easterfest 08.

Originating from Queensland’s Gold Coast, Alabaster Box received their first ‘big-break’ as the support act for UK Band Delirious in January 2000. They soon established themselves as Australia’s premier Christian music band, traveling full-time across the country and performing to packed concert venues and churches.

Since moving to Nashville, the band has played hundreds of shows across the United States including performances with Newsboys, Michael W Smith, Day of Fire, Rebecca St James and Barlow Girl.

Easterfest CEO, Isaac Moody is excited that Alabaster Box is returning to Australia.

“Alabaster Box have set a benchmark for Australian Christian music. They are fantastic entertainers, deeply missional and hard working.”
“We are privileged to have secured Alabaster Box as an Easterfest headline artist. Their return to Australia is long-overdue.”
In addition to their Easterfest appearance Alabaster Box is touring with the Newsboys across Australia.

March 23 – Melbourne (Rezfest, Werribee)
March 27 – Adelaide (Venue to be confirmed)
March 29 – Sydney (Hillsong Convention Centre)

Alabaster Box’s return to Australia coincides with the launch of their brand new album ‘We Will Not Be Silent’, produced by “The Kurnoll” (Jeff Deyo), John King (Augustana) Vince Emmett (Paul Colman, Ginny Owens) and mixed by Tony Palacios (Third Day, Newsboys, Audio A).

“We will not be Silent” heralds a fresh new rock sound for the band. As Alabaster Box’s lead singer Naarah says, “it’s bigger, better, and has a more powerful message than anything we’ve ever done…we can’t wait to show you these songs.”

A sneak preview of Alabaster Box’s new album can be heard at www.myspace.com/alabasterbox

ends

For further information, please contact:
www.easterfest.com.au
www.alabasterbox.com
media@easterfest.com.au
Spun Yarns - 0414 823 125
Easterfest – 1800 66 55 11

After weeks of speculation, and four years since their last Australian tour, US band Jars of Clay have been confirmed as headline artists for Easterfest 08.

Jars of Clay began in 1990 when a band of eager, but completely unprepared, young musicians came together at Greenville College in Illinois. Not even thinking about an actual career in music, they began to write songs more for the fun of it than anything else. They eventually submitted a demo to a US new artist competition in 1994.Five million sales later, the music of Jars of Clay is heard around the globe.

Jars of Clay have achieved 17 ‘top 10’ TRAA radio singles (including 8 #1’s), 3 Grammy awards, 4 Dove Awards and 15 career Dove nominations.
Jars of Clay will appear at Easterfest’s massive USQ Mainstage on Sunday Night after the Bible Society Combined Church Service.

Easterfest CEO Isaac Moody says he expects that Jars of Clay’s performance will attract thousands of additional visitors to the festival.
“Jars of Clay are an ‘A grade’ musical act that attracts big crowds. During their last capital city tour of Australia, more than four years ago, they sold out every venue.”

Jars of Clay is the festival’s second major headline artist announcement after recent confirmation that the Newsboys will also headline the event.
Easterfest is the largest event in the Toowoomba region and is expected to attract record crowds for its 10th year anniversary.
ends

For further information, please contact:
www.easterfest.com.au
www.jarsofclay.com
SPUNYARNS - 0414 823 125

When Steve (our amazing graphic designer) threw a kombi van into the Easterfest 08 design we all laughed, but kept it in.

At the time, none of us guessed the kombi idea would be anything more than just that …a good, fun idea. But the kombi seems to have driven itself to the front of the Easterfest 08 “look”. (eg. Easterfest wallpaper)

And now we are pleased to confirm that we have actually purchased a 1964 splitscreen Kombi off Ebay.

Over the coming weeks this beautiful old girl will be given a new coat of paint, lovingly restored and finally commissioned as the official Easterfest 08 Kombi. Our good friends at CPC Productions have promised to install a kickin’ sound system on the roof and we are hoping to find some EH Holden bucket seats for the back!

Once the kombi is all decked-out, our crazy Street Team will be driving it across South East Queensland to make random after-school appearances. If you would like the Easterfest 08 kombi to visit your high school email us here.

After nearly two weeks of speculation we are super proud to announce Jars of Clay as an Easterfest 08 headline artist!

Jars of Clay began in 1990 when a band of eager, but completely unprepared, young musicians came together in a sort of “dormitory acoustic group” at Greenville College in Illinois, US. Not even thinking about an actual career in music, they began to write songs more for the fun of it than anything. For even a little more entertainment, they decided to submit a demo to a US ‘new artist’ competition.

Three million records later, the music of Jars of Clay is heard around the globe.

Jars of Clay have achieved 17 ‘top 10’ TRAA radio singles (including 8 #1’s)*, a 1997 Grammy, 4 Dove Awards and 15 career Dove nominations.

Jars of Clay will appear on the Mainstage on Sunday night after the Bible Society Combined Church Service.

To see Jars of Clay at Easterfest, either a 3 day pass or Sunday day pass will get you in the gate. Tickets go on sale Monday October 15.

* Source: TRAA Christian Music Chart