Gospel Fest is back for its fifth year

Located in the 1,000 seater marquee just off the main road between Waringstown and Banbridge, Gospel Fest has now become one of the largest Christian music events of its kind in the British Isles.

Over the past number of years Northern Ireland has been recognised as the centre of Gospel music in Europe with many top Christian artists from around the world now making a point of including the Provence as an essential part of their tours. In response an increasing number of our Gospel singers and musicians from Northern Ireland have been making huge inroads throughout Europe and America as well as further afield. Gospel Fest is a celebration of Christian music in Northern Ireland and attracts people from all over Ireland and the UK. Local hotels, guesthouses, campsites and businesses have also remarked on the positive impact Gospel Fest has had to the local economy as visitors often opt to stay in the Craigavon and Banbridge area for the duration of the Gospel Fest weekend.

The event takes place on land belonging to Roy Dreaning located on the Old Bann Road adjacent to the main Waringstown to Banbridge Road opposite the Midway Autopoint. Roy is also the main organiser of Gospel Fest each year and is a member of the group Live Issue. All the music throughout the weekend is God glorifying and as a result Gospel Fest has been a huge encouragement to many people over the past number of years. It is hoped that this year will be no exception.

The Gospel Fest story and the event itself have created a huge awareness of the quality of Gospel music in Northern Ireland and as a result this year’s event is being filmed for a television programme and there are also plans to produce a subsequent DVD.

Concerts each evening start at 7.30pm with special afternoon programmes on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3.00pm and 4.30pm respectively. Thursday 14th August will also include the first ever Northern Ireland Gospel Music Awards, celebrating the music and ministry of our local singers, songwriters and musicians.

This year’s Gospel Fest will be headlined by the group Scarlet Wool from Georgia in the USA and will also feature a wealth of local talent that is bound to suit almost every musical taste.

Programme of Events

Thursday, August 14 – 7.30pm

The 2014 Northern Ireland Gospel Music Awards

In addition there will music from Scarlet Wool (USA), The Harvesters

Laura Dowey, Paul Silcock and Kathryn Mitchell

This is the first event of its kind in Northern Ireland to recognise the work and dedication of our Christian artists and will be a night not to be missed!

Friday, August 15 – 7.30pm

Andi Oakes, Revelation, Live Issue, Scarlet Wool (USA)

Saturday, August 16 – 3.00pm

An Afternoon of Folk, Traditional and Bluegrass Gospel

Scarlet Wool, Cup O’ Joe, Stonewall Folk Group, The Thompson Brothers

Saturday evening – 7.30pm

Kathryn Mitchell, Live Issue, Pathway, Skyward

Sunday Afternoon – 4.30pm

The Belfast Community Gospel Choir

Sunday Evening – 7.30pm

Simple Faith, Live Issue, Scarlet Wool, Amber Hillen

Further information about the Gospel Fest weekend as well as detailed directions can be found on Facebook and at www.liveissuemusic.com/gospel-fest