[img_assist|nid=539|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=288|height=145]The Creation Northeast festival newspaper came in the mail today. I eagerly opened it to read while my dinner was heating up. I normally visit the Creation Festival website on a regular basis this time of the year as the schedule is posted. Yet this year I am a bit behind. Most of my knowledge of the artists scheduled to perform at the fest directly relates to the amount of time I spend on the Switchfoot message boards. As long as I know Switchfoot will be in the house, I am a happy camper.
Come to think of it, in recent years I have not paid much attention to the lineup. At one time, the receipt of the Creation newspaper in the mail meant a decision as to whether or not I would be in attendance at this music festival held in central Pennsylvania each year at the end of June. Between taking my youth group, working as a volunteer, and writing for inReview, I look forward to hanging out with some folks I call family, yet some I only see once a year. The music has become a less important factor in the planning.
Before I landed at the schedule page, I noted an ad displaying that monsterpod.org has become videorocket. Check it out and let us know what you think. I also saw an ad for a an upcoming fall tour aptly titled, "Creation Festival - The Tour." Not much more detail available yet, though I am sure the Tooth and Nail and BEC record label logos in the ad must be important. Another ad that caught my eye was for the Creation Road Crew, essentially a street team and a new addition for the 30th anniversary of the festival.
The following page of the newspaper revealed the schedule. As I was reading, a few thoughts came to mind. I had previously known that for the first time in a while, Relient K was not on the bill, perhaps due to their landing of a spot on this year's Warped Tour. Switchfoot is back, this time headlining on Wednesday night, following Flyleaf, Leeland and Skillet. Note to self: Don't sign up to work on Wednesday night. That is perhaps the night with the most interest for me.
Looking onward, I note that the Newsboys close the evening on Thursday night. No surprise there. Chris Tomlin will close on Friday night, a good lead into the annual candlelighting ceremony. Third Day is missing from the mix, leaving room for tobyMac to close the festival on Saturday. (I have no idea why the first thing I look for in the newspaper are the evening closers.)
The next consideration for me is where and when are my favorite bands playing. For instance, I note that Family Force 5 has moved from an afternoon slot at the smaller Fringe Stage to an evening slot at the Main Stage. Flyleaf is also making the same move. That is huge. The timing and location of band sets often correlates to the appeal of the group. I remember the days before Switchfoot got "big" when they had an afternoon slot on the Fringe Stage.
Since I work at the Main Stage, I have to creatively set up my staff schedule to catch the bands I want to hear on the Fringe Stage. This year, I'll have to do whatever I can not to miss The Myriad, Red, and perhaps eleventyseven. Yet the Fringe Stage line up does not seem as "fringey" to me. It appears as if this side stage has transformed into a place where bands with a smaller fan base play as opposed to more of what I call the alternative edgy style of music.
To get your take on this year's festival activities, which include much more than just the music, visit the link above. And if Creation Northeast is too far, perhaps Creation Northwest in Washington state might be more feasible. Or if you are from the northeast and can't get away for nearly a week and you prefer the edgy music, check out the Purple Door Arts and Music Festival in August.