Way back in 2008, when we first spoke to Luke Bodley about Heaven Fest, the annual Christian music festival he produces was in its infancy. Bodley confided to us that he had difficulty convincing acts to perform at the inagural event. Jeremy Camp and Skillet were his headliners that first year. And even getting them took some effort and the co-sign of the Christian Festival Organization (Cornerstone, Creation, Spirit West).
"In the music industry, the term 'first-year festival,' sends shivers down the backs of agents and managers,' Bodley told us at the time. "When we were ready to buy [talent], nine or ten of our offers were turned down, strictly based on the fact that they didn't know who we were and we were a first-year festival."
What a difference two years makes. Heaven Fest, which drew an impressive crowd last year, is slated to take place next Saturday, July 31 in its new location at Union Reservoir in Longmont. The festival, which has added a camping component this year, is growing into a destination festival on par with the ones mentioned above, which reflected in this year's lineup.
The bill this year appeals equally to the K-Love faithful (Sanctus Real, Casting Crowns) and the Way-FM devotees (Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch), as well as the Tooth and Nail-bred hardcore contingent (Maylene & the Sons of Disaster, The Devil Wears Prada). Bodley even somehow managed to convince the Christian rock fossils in Petra to reunite for the fest.
See the full lineup/schedule, map and 360-degree views of the property below. And look for a full Q&A with Bodley later this week.
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