Nynex Arena holds biggest Christian music event

WHAT IS both the biggest single-day Christian music event and the biggest indoor Christian music event ever held in Britain takes place on October 19 at the Nynex Arena, Manchester. Headlining the Alliance Music Festival are America's DC Talk whose 'Jesus Freak' album is registering in both Christian and mainstream markets. The BBC, who are currently making a documentary on DC Talk for their Everyman series, are filming the grunge rappers' Nynex appearance (the programme will probably be broadcast in April 1997) while EMI will be launching the band's "Jesus Freak" single (on EMI's Premier label) at the event. Huge media interest is expected.

David Withers, marketing director at Alliance Music, said interest in the Alliance Music Festival is phenomenal. "We're looking at possibly 12,000 people at the event. Applications for tickets from all over the country are flooding in."

The full itinerary for the event is as follows:- 3.00pm DBA; 3.50pm Jackson Finch; 4.48pm Sarah Masen; 5.15pm lona; 6.17pm World Wide Message Tribe; 8.03pm Martyn Joseph; 8.40pm Tony Campolo; 9.15pm DC Talk.

Alliance Music are promoting this event in partnership with the Baptist Union, Youth Alive, Youth For Christ, Youthwork magazine and Big Ideas. In addition to these the Girls and Boys Brigade, Oasis, Covenanters, URC and the Salvation Army are also giving the event their full endorsement.

The original line up of the Alliance Music Festival was announced in Cross Rhythms as including Michael W Smith and the Newsboys. Said Dave Withers, "It was our plan back in May but then logistical problems developed. Naturally, we were disappointed in not being able to put them on. But next year it looks like we'll be able to get the Newsboys and Steven Curtis Chapman on the Alliance bill."