An indepth review of Europe's largest Christian music event

11.40am (Maxine Cummings)
I've discovered that rapper, singer and evangelist Chip Kendall is here at BCDO as a member of the !Audacious Kids team. Now, to the surprise and delight of the growing Main Stage crowd Chip comes on with fellow !Audacious church member Jenni James. Chip tells us they're going to sing "How Great Thou Art" "like you've never heard!" Yep, it is!

12:30pm (Helen Whitall)
After a start, stop, start career trajectory which has seen her busking, signed to a major and then dropped, Manchester-based singer/songwriter Kristyna Myles has finally found the career stability that her talent deserves and her independent albums 'Pinch Me Quick' (2014) and 'Paint A Brighter Day' (released in March) clearly show her talent. Now she brings a sunshiny performance to the Tearfund Tea Tent and though she claims to be lacking sleep, puts bucketsful of feeling into her set. Kids are cartwheeling on the lawns whilst the languid crowd are enjoying cream teas and cold drinks while listening to Kristyna's soulful performance. The crowd soon begin to clap along. Kristyna keeps the set bright and upbeat with songs such as "I'm Getting Rid Of This", a light-hearted number about taking control over the things that can hold us captive and saying goodbye to an unhelpful relationship ("Would you treat your mother like that?/I don't think so!") while a beautifully executed high note on "Drop Me A Line" gets a whoop from the crowd, in turn producing a giggle from the singer. There is a brief change of pace with the mellow, piano-led song "Autumn", all about seeing God's wonder in nature with expressive lyrics ("I'm showered in the earth's confetti."') evoking the season. She tells the audience how she loves to walk her bulldog Mr Beefy out in the woods at that time of year. Then we are back to summer with "A Change Is Gonna Come", another upbeat song of hope that has the audience clapping along. Proceeds from sales of this single are going to Tearfund's No Child Taken anti-trafficking campaign, which she talks about briefly. Finally Kristyna ends her set triumphantly with "I'm Not Going Back", which has the crowd singing along.

12.35pm (Tony Cummings)
A rapper called Steve Valentine is on stage in the UCB Tent as a live and gigging representative of their Undiscovered radio programme. Unfortunately Steve's rapping is a big disappointment, showing clear signs of the emcee being a raw beginner.

Matt Maher (photo: Ian Homer)

1:10pm (Andy Shaw)
Born in Newfoundland, Canada and now based in Nashville, Matt Maher has led worship for nearly four million people, including Pope Francis, and the large crowd camped out in the sun as Matt takes to Main Stage is nothing new to the seasoned songsmith. The lyrics for this set are on the huge screens throughout although for many worshippers here they don't need to be as the crowd join in singing as staples like "Your Grace Is Enough" are deftly executed. Matt also shows he is a skilled musician moving from electric to acoustic guitar and then on to keys as the set progresses. There is a buzz in the crowd who are clearly enjoying a relaxed sunny Sunday afternoon sing-along and the music matches the mood as it effortlessly washes over us like a cool breeze. There are a number of songs in the set taken from Matt's recently released 'Saint And Sinners' with Matt sharing some of the stories behind the songs. With songs inspired by giants of the faith whose passion for God is a challenge to us all, we are treated to "Firelight" inspired by Mother Theresa and "Instrument" based on the life and the prayer of St Francis. There is no particular standout moment, no bold statement, just consistently well written songs that make the perfect soundtrack to lie back, enjoy. and soak in God's presence.

1.11pm (Tony Cummings)
I catch a snatch of interview and a song from Mr K in the UCB Tent. Consisting of a rapper with his wife and another lady Mr K perform a song called "Surrender". But in truth it's very underwhelming.

1.12pm (Maxine Cummings)
In search of some shade I find my way to the MAF exhibition area where there is a Cessna plane on display. Standing under the wing I am surprised to see a notice stating that singer/songwriter Steph Macleod will be performing there shortly. I stay for a couple of songs, "Shine Your Light" and a soulfully delivered hymn. His gutsily expressive voice and dazzling guitar work are as effecting as ever.

1.19pm (Tony Cummings)
"What's going on inside of me/I despise my own behaviour." The lyrics of Charlie Peacock's classic song have been running around my head since I heard them sung by Matt Hill. Now they're biting deep. Maybe it's my disappointment at Matt Hill's own lyric writing. Maybe it's the sound of poor quality rapping coming from the UCB tent. Maybe it's simply my jealousy that the Christian media big boy UCB can promote big time at BCDO. But suddenly I snap. I begin to harangue the nearest of the UCB T-shirted helpers outside the tent. For a few seconds I have my hapless victim on the ropes as I lambast him with my feelings about the station's apparent anti-rap, anti-independent music policy. But then out steps my old friend and UCB presenter Mike Rimmer who skilfully points out the inaccuracy of some of my assertions (apparently some Lecrae get UCB playlisted if the hip-hop star raps on a CCM artist's record). Gently but firmly Mike leads me away to the nearest food table, buys me a diet Coke and brings me back to my right mind with the gentleness of a wise friend.

1.20pm (Maxine Cummings)
Having stayed to watch Steph Macleod, I am running a little late to get to my next assignment. It's quite a hike, up hill, from the main area to the Tearfund Tea Tent and along the way I pass a lone trombonist "busking" by the pathway. When I get to the open air stage in front of the Tea Tent, jazz ensemble Cloggz are in full swing. Singer Imogen Rile is scatting to the saxophone and is note-perfect. The violinist and saxophonist each do solo spots while the renowned record producer and Cloggz leader Mark Edwards is able to display Oscar Peterson-style runs with the laid back flourish of a consummate muso. The band plays "When It Rains" to which Ms Rile has written some words and the next song features some deft violin. There is a good-sized crowd sitting in the sunshine enjoying the mellow music and the Cloggz end their session with "Baby Elephant", which is, we are told, about an elephant in a zoo dreaming of freedom. I've always enjoyed a bit of jazz and these guys really deliver the goods.

1.45pm (Ian Webber)
Dressed in a kilt and appearing to a burst from the smoke cannons signals that Dave Brackenridge and his fellow Scottish schools workers who collectively are known as Royal Foundlings have every intention of putting on a traditional rock show at the Illuminate Stage. Guitars sitting on the edge of feedback underpin an energetic performance full of fist pumping and head banging. There are initial problems with sound levels, highlighted by Dave's assertion that he "cannot hear the notes" from his monitor, but this is not noticeable to the audience. The Foundlings impress with some rhythmical phrasing and very tight breakdowns, particularly on "Fix Me". A quieter interlude reveals the loss of a capo, but unfazed, the band carryon to deliver their own version of Frozen's "Let It Go" which springs to life with abandoned punk rock styling. Rock rap outfit XLR join Royal Foundlings on stage to add a rapcore texture to all the power chords and powerhouse drumming while "We Believe" includes a mash up of some recent chart tracks to provide background for a crowd head banging contest. By the time the final song is upon us, the crowd are jumping in unison to "You Alone", a '70s inspired classic rock track that is embellished by smoke cannons, bookending the show. High octane stuff indeed.

2.20pm (Maxine Cummings)
Most of the Salvation Brass members begin the set standing by the soundman's tent, then walk towards the outside stage area at the Tearfund Tea Tent, mingling with the crowd. By the end of the song they are all at the front. It's good musical theatre though, in truth, the playing is a bit ragged. Still in need of shade, I position myself way back by the trees. I am distracted by a nearby father lying on the ground tickling his laughing toddler daughter. Then a woman comes along, spots some friends and starts talking loudly with them. I move closer to the stage. That's better. Kind of. I am not really enjoying the performance which is a little dull and, most surprisingly, not very well executed lacking the crisp ensemble work and sparkling solos of the best brass bands. In the last couple of years Cross Rhythms have reviewed fine Salvationist Publishing & Supplies albums by The International Staff Band, Kettering Citadel Band and Enfield Citadel Band. Clearly with the Portsmouth Citadel Band having played four consecutive BCDOs it was time for a new set of brass-playing Salvationists at the event but on this showing at least, Salvation Brass aren't up there with the best bands. Still, there's some unexpected spiritual teaching from Val, a Salvation Army officer, who talks to us about the Holy Spirit and using balloons as an illustration, exhorts us to be filled to bursting. The band leader divides the audience into three sections, saying that when he points to us during the next piece, the first section should clap once, the second group twice and the third group three times. The band then started to play the "William Tell Overture" and we all clap as directed - mostly. A bit of fun.

2.24pm (Tony Cummings)
Back in the '80s when I was working with a magazine called Buzz my editor had the ill-conceived promotional idea of putting a special chair by the Buzz stand at the Greenbelt festival. The idea was to induce festival goers to take part in a special quiz while sitting on the chair and when they couldn't answer a Buzz-related question they were given an electric shock, the chair having been rigged with a battery to give the hapless festival goer a small shock for the entertainment of others. It didn't work. The battery that had been rigged up wasn't strong enough to carry the electric charge through clothing and when my editor had re-rigged it with his car battery it caused some poor Greenbelter serious pain. Thankfully UCB's promotional gimmick is rather better conceived. Reads the programme, "Win a chance to sit in UCB's Best Seat In The House." BCDO goers are offered a chance to sit on two thrones (presumably acquired from a friendly panto) on a specially erected platform. "You and a friend could sit above the crowd watching the main stage from a platform and even be served snacks by your very own private butler." Yep, considerably better than a free Buzz magazine and an electric shock.

Christafari (photo: Ian Homer)

2.25pm (Ian Homer)
I remember taking a lot of shots of Christafari when they played the West Country Creation Fest years ago and if anyone still doesn't know they are pioneers of gospel reggae. Fronted by ordained minister Mark Mohr they have been thumping on the off-beat for 25 years. They open their Main Stage set with a delicious reggafication of "How Great Is Our God" followed by "Selah" from their album oldie 'Soulfire'. There's a Tim-Hughes-gets-riddim version of "Here I Am To Worship" then Obie Zachary Obien showcases his skills with a tasty guitar solo. In the interlude Mohr invites the audience to appear in their next music video and gets them to sing along to "My heart will sing no other name - Jesus, Jesus" from the Hillsong number "Forever Reign". Up comes a well-worn joke about how people look when they praise God by way of an intro to "'pon De Rooftop" from their 2009 offering 'No Compromise'. After a couple more numbers including the Swahili "Atani Komboa (My God Will Deliver Me)" Mohr goes into preaching mode, speaking on Peter walking on the water and seguing into the song "Walking On The Water". He then issues a brief altar call, the band always seeking to be an instrument for evangelism, finishing with "Soulfire" (yep, that 1994 album again). It still has everyone dancing.

3.01pm (Tony Cummings)
Faith Child and his trusty hypeman have got the crowd excited so that when he queries from the Illuminate stage "Who's from London?" 80 to 100 young people bay back their regional allegiance. That's a good chunk of the crowd gathered at the Illuminate stage for the rapping Londoner. Dressed in first a white jacket and then, as heat dictates, a white singlet he bounces around the stage like a ping pong ball in a National Lottery machine. The tracks from his 2009 album 'Illumination' and his hot newie 'Airborne' come blasting from the speakers with enough bass to cave in breast bones. Best of the rapper's songs, "Tunnel Vision" starts off with a quote from Matthew 6:33 ("But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you") before launching into a bone rattling deep 808 beat a billion miles from the Karen Lafferty Jesus music oldie which once utilised that Scripture. It's just a shame America's Da'T.R.U.T.H. isn't on stage to help Faith out on the song. By the time Faith Child gets to the closer and we're all singing "I need ya, uh, uh/To watch over me" it's clear why the energised emcee is making waves.

Cathy Burton (photo: Maxine Cummings)

3.20pm (Maxine Cummings)
There is quite a crowd sitting in front of the outside stage near the Tearfund Tea Tent. In fact, there are people sitting on the bank leading to the more formal lawn at the side of Wiston House. It's a very pretty location. Cathy Burton and band come on stage and after a sound check begin with the title track from Cathy's 'Searchlight' album released last November. Also from 'Searchlight" Cathy sings "Girl" and "Gun", "a prayer for those who hold guns, that God would change their hearts." Although I enjoy Cathy's singing I find it hard to grasp the lyrics. With backing instruments of lead guitar, bass and drums, the sound is full-on. Cathy moves from the keyboard to acoustic guitar for the next few songs, which include one dedicated to her husband Paul, who is at the sound desk, and another of faith and commitment to God. The clouds have come over and shut out the sun and it gets quite cool. A little boy I had earlier in the afternoon observed playing with and collecting balloons puts on his hooded coat. He shoves a balloon into the hood, buttons up the coat over his head and staggers around like a zombie. I laugh out loud before returning my attention to the music as Cathy closes her set with a rendition of her 2004 "Speed Your Love".