JENNIFER TOLLHURST
Members of For My Escape, a hard rocking Christian band, got the crowds pumped up at the Real Music Event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Members of For My Escape, a hard rocking Christian band, got the crowds pumped up at the Real Music Event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Rocking the house
Crowds enjoy diverse styles of Christian rock
at Real Music Event
CLEVELAND-Crowds of teens aren’t a strange sight at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—but on May 4 there was something unique about the crowd that lined up outside of its doors.
These kids from around Cleveland were gathered by the hundreds downtown to celebrate in their faith. They were lined up for Real Music, a different kind of battle of the bands sponsored by the Diocese of Cleveland. It’s one of a series of events that lead up to the Fest on August 3. This year’s fifth annual Real Music event featured area Christian Rock bands, all with a unique message and a unique way of appealing to their young fans.
The stakes at Real Music are high: five bands compete for the chance to open for nationally-renowned Christian artist Matt Maher on the Main Stage at The Fest. A panel of expert judges—comprised of Matt Maher, Gina Hart of 95.5 The Fish, Jim Anderson and Mark Angelotti—decide the winner, based on musical ability and of course, crowd response.
“The bands were amazingly talented and faithful in sharing their message,” said organizer Zach Briers of the event. “The crowd was remarkably receptive and enthusiastic. What a wonderful way to bring our Christian faith, to such a cultural icon of Cleveland.”
The five bands each represented a different musical style. Kicking off the night was For My Escape, a hard-rocking, head-banging group who got the energy level up right away. Next up were the members of The Christian Spirit Band, who describe themselves as a mix of “Christian Salsa, Spanish, Latin Jazz.” They were indeed a mesh of south-of-the-border sounds, with a positive message and a fiesta mood. Carin LeSeure brought in a mellow coffeehouse vibe, with her singer-songwriter style and thought-provoking lyrics.
End Time Worship got a rise out of the crowd with their upbeat Christian message and happy, pop music-like sound. And the final act, The Lee Roessler Band, kept the crowd’s energy level strong by encouraging them to sing along to their down-to-earth stylings.
“This is not about some contest,” singer Roessler told the crowd between songs. “We’re all here because of God. It’s all about God.”
The judges agreed with Roessler, and ended up awarding first place to his band, giving the young band the opportunity to open for Matt Maher in front of about 20,000 Fest-goers. The band will also play at the St. Ambrose Parish Festival the first weekend in June, and at “Faith Night” on June 14 at the Lake County Captain’s game.
Briers said he and his fellow Fest organizers were excited to have Matt Maher participating in this year’s Fest activities. Maher is one of the first Catholic artists with the potential to break into the mainstream Christian music genre, with 95.5 currently playing his new single, “Your Grace is Enough.”
Christine Jablonski and her friend Sean Cogan, both 15, of Immaculate Conception Church in Willoughby, came to Real Music with their parish youth group. Christine listens to Christian music regularly, and Sean usually doesn’t—but they both had a great time at the event.
“I can relate to this music,” Christine said. “I’ll definitely tell people to come to this event.”
And with 1,000-some of her colleagues evidently feeling the same way, this unique event is likely to only grow larger.
Tollhurst is a freelance writer.
Matt Maher, a breakout Christian artist, plays guitar for crowds at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the site of this year’s Real Music Event, a preview of The Fest.
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