Expected attendace of over 2,000, Cross Rhythms Festival is launched in Devon

A MAJOR new Christian music festival, run in conjunction with Cross Rhythms magazine is to be launched in Devon this summer.

The Cross Rhythms Festival will be held in Okehampton on the 13th to the 14th July and is likely to attract attendances of over 2,000. Artists are still being booked but among the bands so far lined up are Irish rockers Split Level, fusion team Iona, funk rappers House Of God, Celtic roots band the Electrics and singer/songwriter Marianne Derbyshire.

The event, which was previously called Rock Gospel hopes to attack a broad base of music enthusiasts both Christian and non-Christian and will incorporate evangelism and teaching seminars on a wide range of topics. Says Festival co-ordinator Chris Cole, "Many festivals only attract a small crowd and tend to stick to rather hackneyed tried-and-tested formula. By having a wide range of artists in every conceivable style, from house and rap through to thrash and acoustic roots music we'll be satisfying the diverse musical tastes of today's audience while giving Christians in Devon and Cornwall a much needed blast of creative and spiritual encouragement."

Cross Rhythms magazine editor Tony Cummings is equally positive about the potential of the event." I'm very excited at the prospect of a festival which will present the creme-de-la-creme of Christian music yet won't be compromising the gospel of Christ."