PERFORMANCE TIMES ANNOUNCED FOR

EPICENTER–Southern California’s Rock Festival

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATER IN IRVINE, CA

Band performance times have been announced for EPICENTER–Southern California’s Rock Festival. The day-long rock festival set for  Saturday, September 24 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA, will feature 12 hours of rock music with performances from 15 bands on two stages, including: Limp Bizkit, Staind, Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch, Buckcherry, Puddle Of Mudd, Skillet, Everlast, RED, P.O.D., Asking Alexandria, Redlight King, Middle Class Rut, Crossfade and Drive A. EPICENTER marks the first Southern California show for headliners Limp Bizkit in over a decade and their first American live performance of 2011.

Band performance times are as follows (set times subject to change):

EPICENTER Main Stage

9:50 PM     Limp Bizkit

8:50 PM     Staind

8:00 PM     Papa Roach

7:10 PM     Five Finger Death Punch

6:20 PM     Buckcherry

5:40 PM     Puddle Of Mudd

5:05 PM     Skillet

4:30 PM     Everlast

4:00 PM     RED

The Monster Energy Stage

3:15 PM     P.O.D.

2:25 PM     Asking Alexandria

1:40 PM     Redlight King

12:55 PM   Middle Class Rut

12:10 PM   Crossfade

11:30 AM   Drive A

Note: Doors open at 11:00 AM.

Beyond the EPICENTER Main Stage at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, The Monster Energy Stage will be positioned inside the venue’s expanded village.  In addition, EPICENTER will once again feature a variety of art including rock ‘n roll artwork and interactive art pieces throughout the EPICENTER vendor village.

EPICENTER ticket prices start as low as $20.00. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.LiveNation.com. Go to www.EpicenterFestival.com and www.Facebook.com/epicenterfestival for the most up-to-date show information.

EPICENTER is presented by Right Arm Entertainment (creators of Columbus, Ohio’s annual Rock On The Range, which this year celebrated its fifth anniversary, and Carolina Rebellion in Charlotte, NC), Live Nation and Monster Energy.  Additional sponsors include Gibson Guitar and Ubisoft.

I have been attending the Purple Door music festival in Pennsylvania since before many of this year’s attendees were born. The event is now in its sixteenth year. And I clearly remember when the fest was last held at the Lebanon Valley Expo and Fairgrounds in 2000. The festival had outgrown the original venue at a local Christian high school, and moved the following year to a ski mountain where it remained until last year.

So when I arrived at the new/old location this year, I couldn’t help but to compare. For one, more stages have emerged over the years. The main stage has always offered a mix of various alternative and indie rock from the Christian scene. Additional stages have evolved over the years, with a myriad of music styles perhaps in part defined by the sponsor. Yet each year one stage is set aside for the heavier music. This year, bands like The Chariot and local-turned-national favorites Texas in July were included.

In 2000, as I recall, only one stage was inside and the indoor crowd was smaller than this year. With not as many outside locations available without the competition of sound, this year found two stages inside, which proved to be useful later in the day on Saturday as the weather went from sunny to cloudy to stormy. Project 86 was scheduled to perform on the main stage in the evening, but the decision was made to move inside after thunderstorms had rolled through. Underoath followed and would have closed the event, but Disciple encountered a longer travel time that day than expected and as a result was moved to a later time slot on the other indoor stage.  Ultimately, Disciple closed this year’s event.

It was actually a bit strange to see some of these bands inside, as my main experience with their show has been outside. But I remembered after all that most of the year shows do indeed take place inside. As I drove home on Saturday, hearing the report of a stage collapse due to a sudden storm at the Indiana State Fair, the news made me appreciate more when outdoor shows are cancelled or rescheduled due to weather events.

Back in 2000, my main exposure to new music in alt-rock Christian music was often at music festivals. Back then, I barely knew any tune coming from Project 86. This year I sang along to most of the songs. Times have changed; first with faster internet speeds, and now with much more opportunity on the web to listen to music. (Does anyone remember Myspace?) While less folks are listening to the radio, I am thankful for an online outlet from a radio station local to Columbus, Ohio that takes the trek to Purple Door each year – RadioU. In fact, I first became aware of RadioU when they sponsored the staff shirts in 2000. It was not until a few years later upon a faster internet connection (and now from an app on my phone) that RadioU became more of a staple in my life.

Though seeing a band live after only hearing the recordings can instantly transfer a person to become a fan. It was nice to finally see Mike Mains and the Branches live, as I have read many a Facebook status update about their shows. And it is always great to catch some of my favorites like Red and House of Heroes. This year seemed to include more local and regional bands as well.

The merch areas generally grow as each year goes by. Perhaps this is due to an increased amount of festival attendees.  And of course, each band requires space to sell their wares – more bands equal more space. While at the ski mountain in recent years, the merch area was in the ski lodge. Let me remind you that when people ski, there is no need for air-conditioning. Needless to say, I often did not stick around inside that building. This year was roomier, airier, and was still under-cover in what might be a place for live-stock at a county fair. (Some have doubts as to whether or not this was better than a ski lodge.)

The merch area is the typical place where one might be able to meet the bands, who often come to their booths for signings and to chat with friends and fans. But what really struck me was the amount of causes that filled the tables. Sure, some causes have made it into the festival circuit for a few years now. Yet I can say this year I gained more exposure to all sorts of new-to-me causes. This appears to be the trend for younger generations who respond by regularly supporting or simply buying a t-shirt or hoodie (or starting their own ministry). What used to be tables of stuff to buy has become more spending money to affect people locally, nationally, and around the world.

All the more reason to put Purple Door into my schedule for next year.

WHAT:                         This weekend, Rock the Universe 2011 – Florida’s biggest Christian music festival – kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort. Guests can rock out to seventeen of the biggest names in Christian rock – including Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, and Relient K and enjoy access to an all-new fan zone, inspiring guest speakers, nightly candlelighting ceremonies, some of the world’s best theme park attractions and more.

The full artist lineup can be viewed below.

** Names in bold indicate headlining acts.

Along with live concerts by top-name talent, guests can experience an all-new fan zone, featuring autograph sessions with performing acts, band merchandise, and a first-ever New Artists’ Stage where three emerging artists will perform live, including former American Idol contestant Jason Castro. Guests can also enjoy the thrilling attractions found only at Universal Studios, including Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – where they can rock out to hidden tracks by some of this year’s performing talent.

For more details about Rock the Universe 2011 and to purchase tickets, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).

WHEN:                        Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10

4 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the event

WHERE:                      Universal Studios Florida

MORE                         Media Site: http://media.universalorlando.com

INFORMATION:         Rock the Universe Site: www.RocktheUniverse.com

For the first time ever, Rock The Universe guests can combine music from some of this year’s hit performers with pulse-pounding, high-tech thrills on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. As they experience the event, guests can rock out at 65 mph to eight different hidden tracks from the top-name talent at Florida’s biggest Christian music festival.

The artists that will be featured on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and their hidden track codes are:

ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2011 HIDDEN TRACK CODES

Hidden Track Code

Performing Friday, September 9

Switchfoot

773

David Crowder Band

778

Family Force 5

772

Performing Saturday, September 10

Casting Crowns

774

Third Day

775

RED

777

Tenth Avenue North

779

Brandon Heath

776

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is the most radically innovative coaster ever created, combining hit music, first-ever maneuvers and highly-sophisticated audio. To access the coaster’s hidden tracks:

• Hold down the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit logo on the music genre selection screen for approximately ten seconds.
• When you lift your fingers from the screen, a numerical keypad will appear.
• Enter the track code associated with your favorite Christian band into that keypad.
• Sit back, rock out and enjoy the ride!

This September 9 and 10, guests at Rock The Universe will enjoy a faith-filled weekend featuring performances by 17 hit artists, an all-new fan zone, inspiring guest speakers, nightly candlelighting ceremonies, access to some of the world’s best theme park experiences and more. This year’s sensational lineup features some of the biggest names in Christian rock, laying claim to a combined total of 71 Dove awards and 39 No. 1 singles.

Guests can experience Rock The Universe and all the amazing attractions found at Universal Orlando with the purchase of the “Rock Your Weekend” ticket, which is only available for purchase until Sept. 2 and will not be sold at the front gate. This ticket includes admission to both nights of the event and three days’ admission to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

For more complete details about Rock the Universe 2011 and to purchase tickets, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).

Universal Orlando Resort

There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation – but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort. It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It’s the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D. You can be courageous, be outrageous – and be extraordinary.

The Lebanon Valley Expo & Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania was the place to be tonight. It is the new location for the 16th annual Purple Door Festival. It was a beautiful summer evening, perfect conditions for some beautiful music.

While the crowd was waiting for the first band to take the stage, they were entertained by HM’s newest commercial on the jumbotron. By the way, the commercials are pretty funny. If you haven’t seen them yet, make sure to check it out.

Pennsylvania band Reilly hit the main stage first with lots of energy. They did a great job of energizing the crowd with some violin rock! I must say, the dueling violins of Dan & Noele Huie add an intensity to their show that was quite impressive.

Meanwhile, over at the LBC stage the indie band The Historic took the stage. The band has a very creative storytelling ability that blends nicely with their folk sound giving them a musical maturity beyond their years.

Bands SisterBrother, Ocean Is Theory, and Yesterday is Waiting all put together solid performances on the LBC stage that the crowd really seemed to enjoy.

The alternative sounds of House of Heroes was heard next on the main stage, followed by a challenging message from Jon Acuff. Jon challenged us to clear the clutter in our lives so we can better focus our lives on Jesus.

Lecrae and Tedashii hit the main stage for an incredible performance. These boys love Jesus and know the Word of God. The song Background set the stage for some spontaneous worship. It really was a beautiful moment in the presence of the Lord.

Lancaster, PA Metalcore band Texas in July tore up the LBC stage. The passionate vocals from Alex Good along with the high energy of the band kept the attention of the crowd.

The Chariot closed out the evening on the LBC stage. All I can say is “Wow!”

They came out ready to deliver. If ever a band knows how to bring the crowd on the journey with them, it’s The Chariot. They delivered a non-stop intense show from start to finish and they really sounded great. It seemed the show ended so quickly!

The anticipation of the crowd was high waiting for Red to take the stage. The restless crowd chanting, “Red, Red, Red, Red.” Finally the white cloth hiding the huge stage dropped, and the band took off delivering an incredible set. The crowd in unison bobbing their head back and forth with the rock grit look on their faces and their fists pumping. It was a good night of music, and much more to be had tomorrow. Until then…peace.

This summer music fans will see P.O.D. live on both the cross-country ROCK ALLEGIANCE TOUR and at the annual EPICENTER: Southern California’s Rock Festival. To coincide with those dates, the band have teamed up with the EPICENTER and ROCK ALLEGIANCE TOUR organizers to offer fans an exclusive download of their new single “On Fire.” While P.O.D. continue to work on a new album with producer Howard Benson (slated for release in Spring 2012), the band wanted to offer fans an early preview of new music this summer.  Beginning Monday, July 25, the “On Fire” download will be available exclusively at www.EpicenterFestival.com and http://rockallegiance.com/.

EPICENTER–set for Saturday, September 24 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA–will feature 12 hours of rock music with performances from over a dozen bands on two stages, including: Limp Bizkit, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Skillet, Puddle Of Mudd, P.O.D., Everlast, Asking Alexandria, Redlight King, Middle Class Rut, Crossfade and Drive A.

The ROCK ALLEGIANCE TOUR kicks off August 24 in Dallas, TX and the trek will unite seven rock bands including co-headliners Buckcherry and Papa Roach with Puddle Of Mudd, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade and Drive A all for a ticket price under $30.  The tour will include a stop at the third annual EPICENTER.

EPICENTER and the ROCK ALLEGIANCE TOUR are presented by Right Arm Entertainment (creators of Columbus, Ohio’s annual Rock On The Range, which this year celebrated its fifth anniversary, and Carolina Rebellion in Charlotte, NC), Live Nation and Monster Energy.  Additional sponsors include Gibson Guitar and Ubisoft.