Being someone thats been to all the Exodays this would have to be the best oneand no not because of the media passes = ) but 2 things. The first was the life and colour that filled all corners of Olympic Park the day ran with a truly festival atmosphere. The second was the electricity flowing through that crowd as Lecrae, Pillar and Switchfoot, under the Sydney night sky, rocked the Big Exoday from main-stage. Boy that night was something to talk about.
Its nearly 6pm and weve already chatted with Pillar and Switchfoot before they get ready for their set. Switchfoot and Pillar!!! Im looking out from above towards the and this crazy (crazy is good) work of lighting brings Lecrae onto the mainstage. The gates have opened and youth are running by the hundreds to the front ready to bust a move.BOOMAfter the Music StopsBOOMWhen Tomorrow ComesBOOMOh Gravity!the night went off and dag did we have a good time! Wish I could tell ya everything but something thatd Ill never forget was Switchfoots lead singer Jon Foreman taking a spontaneous run through crowd in the middle of a track.
Exoday is coming of age and I honestly believe that this years event will have played a pivot role in the rise of Godly generation in the youth of this nation. Now there were 13,000+ people at the event and by those numbers Ive good odds on my prediction however its never about the numbers. Its about what God is doing and God was doing something big, so be expecting some big things for next year.
I just wanna say that getting a media pass is awesome! It was a real blessing having the opportunity to interview Pillar, Lecrae, and Switchfoot, we even met Sky and Aaron from Rhema Newcastle. Big thanks to Claire and Youth Alive for the special access.
Just in case youre not familiar with the names.
Switchfoot is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock that first gained mainstream recognition after the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie A Walk to Remember. This recognition led to their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, which was released in 2003 and sold over 2.6 million copies as well as featuring their best-known singles, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". (wiki)
Pillar Where Do We Go From Here was released as an instant hit among Christian rock fans everywhere, capturing #1 on sales in the genre for weeks. The album featured multiple hits, including "Bring Me Down" which topped the charts for months. Not only Christian shows and stations played "Bring Me Down", however, it was requested heavily on secular stations as well.
Pillar was voted Best Hard Rock Band in CCM Magazine's 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. Guitarist Noah Henson and drummer Lester Estelle Jr. have received the Dove Awards (wiki)
Lecrae is a Christian rap artist, signed to Reach Records. He and a host of artists are taking the Gospel message to the streets. Taking the baton from the pioneers, the Crossmovement, Lecrae is setting the new bar for how Christian artists and labels use Hip Hop in ministry. Check the music video of his Dove Award nominated track Jesus Muzik featuring Trip Lee.