Post by HairBear on Apr 13, 2004 6:14:52 GMT 10
THE CHRONICLE - TOOWOOMBA
Guy Sebastian at the Australian Gospel Music Festival
TIME FOR A BIT OF IDOL WORSHIP
By Roseanne Schefe
"It’s not about being cooler or above anyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it”
Guy Sebastian – national television phenomenon, musician, curry-lover, committed Christian – now creating massive interest for the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) this weekend.
Since Guy’s AGMF appearance was confirmed in early March, ticket sales have accelerated dramatically, many sold simply on the assurance that the 22 year old with the crazy hair will be on the 96five Mainstage at 4.10pm on Sunday afternoon.
This will be Guy’s first Queensland appearance outside of the Australian Idol banner and is a logistical triumph in itself, falling in the middle of an Asian promotional tour.
Guy has less than 12 hours on the ground – spending his Easter Sunday flying in and out of Australia to be here. Last year he was unknown, a recording engineer and vocal teacher living in the Adelaide suburb of Golden Grove – then he was voted Australia’s Idol in front of 3.65 million television viewers.
Guy’s emotionally interpretive style, willingness and ability to cross musical boundaries won him many fans during the competition.
He is an instrumentalist as well as a singer, playing piano, guitar and drums.
Already he has written 30 original songs and estimates there are another 150 in various stages of development.
Three of his own songs were recorded on his first album Just as I Am – also a record breaker, with his original All I Need is You becoming Guy’s second number-one hit.
Guy believes in keeping things flexible, not restricting himself to any particular style and is equally happy singing rhythm and blues or pop.
On his website Guy makes the following statement about his music and performance style: “It’s not about being cooler or above anyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it”.
AGMF organisers have been required to upgrade security measures for Guy’s appearance, with a strong presence from both Queensland Police and AGMF security providers Ultimate Security to ensure crowd safety.
Adoring fans at Gospel Festival agree…<br>He’s our Guy
By Merryl Miller
HE and his ‘fro’ have seen the world, sung with stars and made young girls swoon.
But “the best part of the ride so far” for Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian was the chance to perform in Toowoomba at the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) yesterday.
At least that’s what he said – with one of this trademark grins.
Guy returned from a promotional tour in Malaysia to make his first Queensland performance, choosing the AGMF because of his interest in promoting greater acceptance of gospel music in mainstream Australian audiences.
“Gospel music is big, but I want it to be even bigger” the 22-year old said.
He may be just the man to pull off such a goal, making the 10,000 strong audience (of mostly teenage girls) in the Queens Park scream with delight during his six song performance.
The repertoire included a number of crowd favourites including hits All I Need is You and Angels Brought Me Here.
A medley of Christian classics brought the audience to its feet, but it was Guy’s rendition of Climb Every Mountain that brought tears to the eyes of many.
“This performance was the biggest drawcard of the whole festival - Guy told me he personally intervened to be able to come,” AGMF board chair Ian Andersen said “It will be a struggle to top this next year!"
Guy is making the most of his moment in the sun, saying he knows the fame could end at any time.
"I didn’t dream of being famous, I just to wanted to sing” he said. I have lots of dreams for the future, but it’s all about living through this season to see what the next season brings!
He certainly made the dreams of Caboolture visitors Deneeka Wilson and Katherine Lazarus come true. “He was excellent – an idol in our eyes and God’s eyes as well,” Daneeka said.
And would they be just as impressed to know that one day he plans to shave off his afro locks in the name of charity. “He would look a bit funny, but we would still love him,” Katherine said.
“Besides, his hair will grow back.
CITY BATHES IN GLORY OF GOSPEL SUCCESS
By Madeleine Tiller
Toowoomba may soon be known as the gospel music capital of Australia following another record-breaking Australian gospel Music Festival at the weekend.
Appearances by Australian Idol Guy Sebastian and Grammy Award winner Rebecca St James saw ticket sales soar 60% higher than last year.
Free events including the Heritage Street Festival also drew record crowd numbers.
“We now have a very strong claim to being Australia’s gospel music capital,” festival chairman Mr Ian Anderson said last night.
“Toowoomba can be very proud of what our community has been able to present to visitors. People who have come from overseas have described it as a world class event.”<br>
Guy's Sebastian's sell-out performance yesterday drew more than 10,000 screaming fans into the natural amphitheatre surrounding the festival’s mainstage.
At least a thousand people who were unable (or unwilling) to procure tickets hung over the barriers and climbed trees in order to catch a glimpse of Guy’s performance.
“I’ve never seen this many people here before,” festival co-ordinator Isaac Moody said.
“It was definitely worth the cost to bring Guy here; it’s put Toowoomba on the map.”<br>
Mr Moody said the festival was beginning to outgrow the Garden City.
“We really don’t know where to go next year; we need to approach council about the possibility of building a bigger amphitheatre,” he said.
Guy Sebastian at the Australian Gospel Music Festival
TIME FOR A BIT OF IDOL WORSHIP
By Roseanne Schefe
"It’s not about being cooler or above anyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it”
Guy Sebastian – national television phenomenon, musician, curry-lover, committed Christian – now creating massive interest for the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) this weekend.
Since Guy’s AGMF appearance was confirmed in early March, ticket sales have accelerated dramatically, many sold simply on the assurance that the 22 year old with the crazy hair will be on the 96five Mainstage at 4.10pm on Sunday afternoon.
This will be Guy’s first Queensland appearance outside of the Australian Idol banner and is a logistical triumph in itself, falling in the middle of an Asian promotional tour.
Guy has less than 12 hours on the ground – spending his Easter Sunday flying in and out of Australia to be here. Last year he was unknown, a recording engineer and vocal teacher living in the Adelaide suburb of Golden Grove – then he was voted Australia’s Idol in front of 3.65 million television viewers.
Guy’s emotionally interpretive style, willingness and ability to cross musical boundaries won him many fans during the competition.
He is an instrumentalist as well as a singer, playing piano, guitar and drums.
Already he has written 30 original songs and estimates there are another 150 in various stages of development.
Three of his own songs were recorded on his first album Just as I Am – also a record breaker, with his original All I Need is You becoming Guy’s second number-one hit.
Guy believes in keeping things flexible, not restricting himself to any particular style and is equally happy singing rhythm and blues or pop.
On his website Guy makes the following statement about his music and performance style: “It’s not about being cooler or above anyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it”.
AGMF organisers have been required to upgrade security measures for Guy’s appearance, with a strong presence from both Queensland Police and AGMF security providers Ultimate Security to ensure crowd safety.
Adoring fans at Gospel Festival agree…<br>He’s our Guy
By Merryl Miller
HE and his ‘fro’ have seen the world, sung with stars and made young girls swoon.
But “the best part of the ride so far” for Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian was the chance to perform in Toowoomba at the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) yesterday.
At least that’s what he said – with one of this trademark grins.
Guy returned from a promotional tour in Malaysia to make his first Queensland performance, choosing the AGMF because of his interest in promoting greater acceptance of gospel music in mainstream Australian audiences.
“Gospel music is big, but I want it to be even bigger” the 22-year old said.
He may be just the man to pull off such a goal, making the 10,000 strong audience (of mostly teenage girls) in the Queens Park scream with delight during his six song performance.
The repertoire included a number of crowd favourites including hits All I Need is You and Angels Brought Me Here.
A medley of Christian classics brought the audience to its feet, but it was Guy’s rendition of Climb Every Mountain that brought tears to the eyes of many.
“This performance was the biggest drawcard of the whole festival - Guy told me he personally intervened to be able to come,” AGMF board chair Ian Andersen said “It will be a struggle to top this next year!"
Guy is making the most of his moment in the sun, saying he knows the fame could end at any time.
"I didn’t dream of being famous, I just to wanted to sing” he said. I have lots of dreams for the future, but it’s all about living through this season to see what the next season brings!
He certainly made the dreams of Caboolture visitors Deneeka Wilson and Katherine Lazarus come true. “He was excellent – an idol in our eyes and God’s eyes as well,” Daneeka said.
And would they be just as impressed to know that one day he plans to shave off his afro locks in the name of charity. “He would look a bit funny, but we would still love him,” Katherine said.
“Besides, his hair will grow back.
CITY BATHES IN GLORY OF GOSPEL SUCCESS
By Madeleine Tiller
Toowoomba may soon be known as the gospel music capital of Australia following another record-breaking Australian gospel Music Festival at the weekend.
Appearances by Australian Idol Guy Sebastian and Grammy Award winner Rebecca St James saw ticket sales soar 60% higher than last year.
Free events including the Heritage Street Festival also drew record crowd numbers.
“We now have a very strong claim to being Australia’s gospel music capital,” festival chairman Mr Ian Anderson said last night.
“Toowoomba can be very proud of what our community has been able to present to visitors. People who have come from overseas have described it as a world class event.”<br>
Guy's Sebastian's sell-out performance yesterday drew more than 10,000 screaming fans into the natural amphitheatre surrounding the festival’s mainstage.
At least a thousand people who were unable (or unwilling) to procure tickets hung over the barriers and climbed trees in order to catch a glimpse of Guy’s performance.
“I’ve never seen this many people here before,” festival co-ordinator Isaac Moody said.
“It was definitely worth the cost to bring Guy here; it’s put Toowoomba on the map.”<br>
Mr Moody said the festival was beginning to outgrow the Garden City.
“We really don’t know where to go next year; we need to approach council about the possibility of building a bigger amphitheatre,” he said.
