When the Australian Gospel Music festival, the event that would give rise to Easterfest got going in 1999, the independent Christian music scenes across Australia were pretty healthy. 

There was a lot going on in that space with plenty of Aussie muso’s diving in and giving it a go. 

In Brisbane, the scene was thriving, with the local indie label Toupee Records bringing together the cream of the crop like Rhubarb, Battered Fish, Dumpster, Tonjip, Beanbag and Elementary Penguin. 

Many of the bands on the Toupee roster would help enable the growth of AGMF in those early years, so I thought who better to sit down and chat with about that era, than the founder of Toupee Records... Jeremy Bennett.  

You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify. 

Don’t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don’t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast. 

This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.  It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.  

You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the 96five podcast page on our website. 

When the Australian Gospel Music festival, the event that would give rise to Easterfest got going in 1999, the independent Christian music scenes across Australia were pretty healthy.&nbsp;
There was a lot going on in that space with plenty of Aussie muso&rsquo;s diving in and giving it a go.&nbsp;
In Brisbane, the scene was thriving, with the local indie label Toupee Records bringing together the cream of the crop like Rhubarb, Battered Fish, Dumpster, Tonjip, Beanbag and Elementary Penguin.&nbsp;
Many of the bands on the Toupee roster would help enable the growth of AGMF in those early years, so I thought who better to sit down and chat with about that era, than the founder of Toupee Records... Jeremy Bennett. &nbsp;
You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1u9mLRcvHgNEXSMlGq4ZLv?si=ADeaZc5WR0aQ2XLtG-ngww">Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify</a>.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don&rsquo;t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast.&nbsp;
This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.&nbsp; It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the <a href="https://96five.com/podcasts/">96five podcast page</a> on our website.&nbsp;

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.

Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.

But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.

It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.

It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.

For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.
Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.
But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.
It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.
It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.
The Rise &amp; Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.
For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to <a href="https://www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/">www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/</a>

Advertisement