Soulfest
Encyclopedia
SoulFest is an annual Christian music festival
held in New England
, United States. It currently takes place at the Gunstock Mountain Resort
in Gilford, New Hampshire
and features six stages and over 125 bands.
acts such as Switchfoot
, Skillet
, Toby Mac, The Almost
, Jars of Clay
, Third Day
, Chris Tomlin
, BarlowGirl
, Jeremy Camp
, Kutless
, Casting Crowns
, Joel and Janna, Audience of One, Superchick
, Bethany Dillon
, Newsboys
, and many more. The event is also a showcase for the best of the Northeast's Christian bands, too, including Maeve, Jim Trick, Big Kettle Drum, and The Wrecking.
Soulfest also gives tribute to the hardcore scene bringing in acts such as Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
, MxPx
, August Burns Red
, Disciple
, Flyleaf
, Exiting The Fall, Pillar
, RED
, As I Lay Dying
, Relient K
, Haste the Day
, Thousand Foot Krutch
, Everyday Sunday
, and many other popular rock acts.
, Chris Tomlin
, Third Day
and Switchfoot
, and houses well over ten thousand people on the surrounding grounds. The next biggest stage is Inside Out Stage, which houses the more rock-oriented acts, such as MxPx
, The Chariot
and Flyleaf
along with a number of bands geared towards worship including Jason Upton
, and Gateway Worship
.
There are also several side stages, entitled Mercy Street, Deeper Well, and Mountain Top Stage. The Mercy Street stage is inside of a large ski lodge near the main entrance of Soulfest. Although it hosts mostly smaller acts that are lesser known, big name acts sometimes play shows at this venue, usually late at night, at events called "Late Night Performances".
The Mountain Top stage hosts mainly acoustic acts, and can be compared to a local coffee shop. At this stage, you can find artists like Maeve
and Matt Maher
, normally with just an acoustic guitar, but occasionally a piano or a small drum set will be played. The music is mostly soft acoustic praise music.
The Deeper Well stage is a stage in a small tent in the festival grounds. Very lesser known artists tend to play here, but generally, this stage hosts motivational speeches and testimonies from groups.
, with some extending their stay for a vacation. There is on-site camping, off-site camping, local hotels, and condos. There are also plenty of rental properties available.
Gunstock Mountain Resort, host of the SoulFest, offers free parking for over 3000 cars while reserved parking is available for those who wish to have the closest 500 parking spots to the main entrance. Handicap and large vehicle parking are available as well.
2006
Bands Performing
2007
2008
Bands Performing
2009
Bands Performing
2010
Bands Performing
2011
Tentative Line-Up
Christian music festival
A Christian music festival is a music festival held by the Christian community, in support of performers of Christian music...
held in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, United States. It currently takes place at the Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gunstock Mountain Resort is a sports complex located on Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, New Hampshire, and is owned by Belknap County. Activities include alpine and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, ski jumping, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, and skateboarding.-History:The original Gunstock...
in Gilford, New Hampshire
Gilford, New Hampshire
Gilford is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,126 at the 2010 census. Situated on Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford is home to Governors Island, Ellacoya State Beach, Belknap Mountain State Forest, Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort, and Meadowbrook U.S...
and features six stages and over 125 bands.
Christian music performances
The event is billed by the producers as the largest Christian outdoor music festival event in New England. With 5 different stages, SoulFest has featured top national Contemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
acts such as Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
, Toby Mac, The Almost
The Almost
The Almost is an American alternative rock band from Clearwater, Florida, formed in 2005, and is most notable for being the side project of former Underoath drummer, Aaron Gillespie.-History:...
, Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
, Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
, BarlowGirl
BarlowGirl
BarlowGirl is an American Christian rock–CCM all-female band from Chicago, Illinois. The band is composed of sisters Alyssa , Rebecca , and Lauren Barlow . The band has won several awards in their genre; their song "Never Alone" was the longest running No...
, Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Thomas Camp is a contemporary Christian musician from Lafayette, Indiana. Camp has released seven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold and two are live albums, and 17 number-one hit songs...
, Kutless
Kutless
Kutless is a Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released six studio albums including their latest, It Is Well. The band has also released a live album, Live from Portland. Currently, they have sold almost 2 million records.-Biography:Formed in...
, Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist...
, Joel and Janna, Audience of One, Superchick
Superchick
Superchick, originally known as Superchic[k], is an American Christian alternative pop/rock band. Their music incorporates various styles such as pop, punk, rock, rap, and R&B. Their sound has been compared to mainstream artists No Doubt and Avril Lavigne with a heavier sound...
, Bethany Dillon
Bethany Dillon
Bethany Dillon is a Contemporary Christian music artist. She is now married to contemporary Christian recording artist Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane.-Childhood:...
, Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
, and many more. The event is also a showcase for the best of the Northeast's Christian bands, too, including Maeve, Jim Trick, Big Kettle Drum, and The Wrecking.
Soulfest also gives tribute to the hardcore scene bringing in acts such as Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American, Southern metalcore band formed in 2004 in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mono Vs Stereo and released their self-titled debut album...
, MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, August Burns Red
August Burns Red
August Burns Red is an American metal band, from Manheim, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2003, the group began their first performances while a majority of the members were attending their senior year of high school, and soon began playing shows around Lancaster, before being signed to CI Records, and...
, Disciple
Disciple (band)
Disciple is a Christian metal / rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 1992.-History:Disciple was formed in 1992 by high school friends Kevin Young, Brad Noah, and Tim Barrett. The band released their first CD, What Was I Thinking in 1995...
, Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
, Exiting The Fall, Pillar
Pillar (band)
Pillar is a Christian rock band currently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their sixth studio album, Confessions, was released in 2009.- Formation and independent albums :...
, RED
Red (band)
Red is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band's lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. They are known for their Christian rock music which incorporates other sounds such as...
, As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
, Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, Haste the Day
Haste the Day
Haste the Day was an American Christian metalcore band signed with Solid State Records that was formed in Carmel, Indiana 2001. Their band is named after a lyric in the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." The band released their debut release, an extended play titled That They May Know You, in 2002,...
, Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in 1995. They have released five major studio albums: Set It Off , Phenomenon , The Art of Breaking , The Flame In All of Us , and Welcome to the Masquerade . They also have one live album, Live at the Masquerade...
, Everyday Sunday
Everyday Sunday
Everyday Sunday is a band from Columbus, Ohio made up of Trey Pearson , Micah Kuiper, Tyler Craft, and Nick Spencer. The old band released 2 CDs on Flicker Records including Stand Up and Anthems for the Imperfect...
, and many other popular rock acts.
Stages
Soulfest has two major stages in the actual festival area. The biggest stage, the Revival Stage, hosts major name artists, such as SkilletSkillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
, Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
, Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
and Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, and houses well over ten thousand people on the surrounding grounds. The next biggest stage is Inside Out Stage, which houses the more rock-oriented acts, such as MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, The Chariot
The Chariot (band)
The Chariot is an American mathcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, formed in 2003. The current lineup consists of drummer David Kennedy, bassist Jon "KC Wolf" Kindler, vocalist and bandleader Josh Scogin, and guitarists Brandon Henderson and Stephen Harrison. The band has experienced frequent...
and Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
along with a number of bands geared towards worship including Jason Upton
Jason Upton
Jason Upton is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, recording artist and composer. His musical creations are mostly Christian worship songs inspired by folk music. Jason Upton is evolving on the margins of the Christian music industry through his own record label Key of David...
, and Gateway Worship
Gateway Worship
Gateway Worship is an American Christian worship band from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The team leads worship at Gateway Church, a 24,000 member congregation located in Southlake, Texas, which has grown quickly since the church's beginnings in 2000...
.
There are also several side stages, entitled Mercy Street, Deeper Well, and Mountain Top Stage. The Mercy Street stage is inside of a large ski lodge near the main entrance of Soulfest. Although it hosts mostly smaller acts that are lesser known, big name acts sometimes play shows at this venue, usually late at night, at events called "Late Night Performances".
The Mountain Top stage hosts mainly acoustic acts, and can be compared to a local coffee shop. At this stage, you can find artists like Maeve
Maeve
Maeve is a first name of Irish origin. In Irish Gaelic, the name "Medbh" means "she who intoxicates." It is rooted in the Irish legend of Queen Maeve or Medb, one of the main protagonists of the early Irish legend Táin Bó Cúailnge...
and Matt Maher
Matt Maher
Matthew "Matt" Guion Maher is a contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter, and worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Tempe, Arizona. He has written and produced five solo albums to date...
, normally with just an acoustic guitar, but occasionally a piano or a small drum set will be played. The music is mostly soft acoustic praise music.
The Deeper Well stage is a stage in a small tent in the festival grounds. Very lesser known artists tend to play here, but generally, this stage hosts motivational speeches and testimonies from groups.
Accommodations and parking
SoulFest will draw over 13,000 from all over the Northeast to spend 4-5 days in the Lakes RegionLakes Region (New Hampshire)
The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is the mid-state region surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Squam Lake, and Newfound Lake.The area is a popular tourist destination in the summer time, with the activity peaking during the annual Motorcycle Week and races at Loudon's New Hampshire...
, with some extending their stay for a vacation. There is on-site camping, off-site camping, local hotels, and condos. There are also plenty of rental properties available.
Gunstock Mountain Resort, host of the SoulFest, offers free parking for over 3000 cars while reserved parking is available for those who wish to have the closest 500 parking spots to the main entrance. Handicap and large vehicle parking are available as well.
History
SoulFest began in 1998 and took place as a 3 day festival at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire. In 2006, SoulFest changed locations to Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH and currently resides there annually.2006
Bands Performing
- Wednesday August 2nd, 2006
- Revival Stage: Audio Adrenaline, Jeremy Camp, The Fold, Barlow Girl, Paul Colman, Grits, Truce, Sanctus Real
- Inside Out: Stryper, Kingpin Wrecking Crew, Transfer, Edison Glass
- Thursday August 3rd, 2006
- Revival Stage: Newsboys, Superchick, Tammy Trent, Kevin Max, KJ52, Baird Lashley & Who Stands
- Inside Out Stage: Dead Poetic, Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber, Fighting Instinct, Flatfoot56, Spoken
- Friday August 4th, 2006
- Revival Stage: MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Leeland, Matt Maher
- Inside Out: Skillet, Apologetix, August Burns Red
- Saturday August 5th, 2006
- Revival Stage: Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, John Reuben
- Inside Out: Pillar, Hawk Nelson, Falling Up
2007
- Wednesday August 1st, 2007
- Revival Stage: Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Building 429, Leeland, Group 1 Crew
- Inside Out: Emery, The Chariot, Disciple, Kiros
- Thursday August 2nd, 2007
- Revival Stage: Toby Mac, Rebecca St. James, The Afters, Stellar Kart
- Inside Out Stage: He Is Legend, Seventh Day Slumber, Inhale Exhale, Maylene @ the Sons of Disaster, Flatfoot 56, Life In Your Way,
- War of Ages
- Friday August 3rd, 2007
- Revival Stage: Casting Crowns, Superchick, Tree 63, Matt Maher, Bethany Dillon
- Inside Out: Skillet, Alove For Enemies, Storyside B
- Saturday August 4th, 2007
- Revival Stage: Newboys, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, John Reuben, Charlie Hall
- Inside Out: MXPX, Pillar, Project 86, Red, The Wrecking Up
2008
Bands Performing
- Wednesday July 30, 2008
- Revival Stage: TobyMac, Jars of Clay, Kevin Max
- Thursday July 31, 2008
- Revival Stage: Kutless, Superchick, Phil Joel, John Reuben, Tenth Avenue North, Phil Wickham
- Inside Out Stage: Pillar, August Burns Red, Run Kid Run, The Wrecking, Flatfoot 56
- Friday August 1, 2008
- Revival Stage: Newsboys, Barlow Girl, Matt Maher, KJ-52
- Inside Out: Flyleaf, The Chariot
- Saturday August 2, 2008
- Revival Stage: Third Day, Rebecca St. James, Stellar Kart, Bethany Dillon
- Inside Out: Skillet, Disciple, Inhale/Exhale
2009
Bands Performing
- Wednesday July 29, 2009
- Revival Stage: Skillet, Family Force 5, Phil Joel, Paul Coleman
- Thursday July 30, 2009
- Revival Stage: Newsboys, The Afters, Charlie Peacock, Sara Groves, Derek Webb, Phil Wickham, Glendridge
- Inside Out Stage: Day of Fire, To Speak of Wolves, We As Human, Children 18:3
- Friday July 31, 2009
- Revival Stage: Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Jason Upton, Manic Drive, Thousand Foot Krutch
- Inside Out: As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, And Then There Were None, Wolves Among Sleep
- Saturday August 1, 2009
- Revival Stage: Third Day, Sanctus Real, Charlie Hall, Bluetree, Fireflight, Brant Christopher
- Inside Out: Haste the Day, The Chariot, Sleeping Giant, Project 86, Oh Sleeper
2010
Bands Performing
- Wednesday August 4, 2010
- Revival Stage: Switchfoot, Hawk Nelson, Paul Colman, Phil Joel
- Inside Out Stage: Showbread, I am Alpha and Omega
- Thursday August 5, 2010
- Revival Stage: TobyMac, Sanctus Real, Paul Colman, Eric Timm, Jason Upton
- Inside Out Stage: Maylene & The Sons of Disaster, For Today, Blessed By a Broken Heart
- Friday August 6, 2010
- Revival Stage: MercyMe, The OC Supertones, Barlow Girl, Paul Colman, Fireflight, Superchick
- Inside Out: The Chariot, MyChildren, MyBride, Project86, Ivoryline, Paper Route, Able, Dream Tigers
- Saturday August 7, 2010
- Revival Stage: Kutless, Jars of Clay, Isreal Houghton & New Breed, Matthew West, Matt Maher
- Inside Out: August Burns Red, Living Sacrifice, Flatfoot56, Queens Club
2011
Tentative Line-Up
- Wednesday August 3, 2011
- Revival Stage:Skillet, Sanctus Real
- Inside Out Stage:
- Thursday August 4, 2011
- Revival Stage: Chris Tomlin, Classic Petra, Leeland,
- Inside Out Stage: Red
- Friday August 5, 2011
- Revival Stage: Third Day, Jars of Clay, Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole
- Inside Out: Flatfoot56
- Saturday August 6, 2011
- Revival Stage: Switchfoot, Adam Joel, The Almost, Aaron Gillespie
- Inside Out: Gateway Worship