29.01.12 Good news, hardcore happy campers, worship under the stars, more good news, free hugs. It's Parachute 2012, the Sunday edition.
CONFIRMED
Switchfoot and Newsboys confirmed for Parachute 2013!
THE CHARIOT
It's about passion, not anger.
The Hardcore Showcase raged into the night on Friday, recognising New Zealand's ever-growing subculture of Christian hardcore.
The evening kicked off with Auckland-based band East of Eden who demonstrated just how powerful this genre can be. The boys also rounded off the Debut Showcase at the Apollo on Saturday afternoon.
With the growth of the genre all around the world, Atlanta hardcore band The Chariot are urging fans and musicians to remember that it doesn't have to be dark.
"I hope it's a thing of passion," says lead vocalist Josh Scogin. "For me when I was growing up when I decided to write that sort of music it was just a passion that existed. You can be passionate with an acoustic guitar, don't get me wrong, but there's something about screaming guitars and distorted pedals that really struck a chord with me."
"Christianity is such a passionate thing, there's a lot of elements going on and I feel like in the heavier world, although it is all too often pushed into an angrier sort of vibe, for us it's more about being passionate about things you like, things you love, about grace and mercy," he says.
WOMEN'S REFUGE @ P12
The Women's Refuge seminar entitled Ending Relationship Violence took place between 3:30 and 4:30 today.
The seminar was opened by Phoenix NZYP, an Auckland-based youth organisation dedicated to growing creative individuals. The Phoenix representatives explained that they wanted their creativity to have purpose and meaning, and performed a tear-jerking sketch depicting family violence.
Last year Phoenix NZYP got on board with the White Ribbon campaign and took the full-length version of their play to Sydney, Australia, with great success.
Phoenix also performed a dance and covered two songs including Someone Like You by Adele.
Women's Refuge have been back at Parachute this year with their Hurt, Heal and Hope campaign. This initiative asks individuals to share their stories, which will then be put onto the youth website.
SHIFT
The Apollo was full to overflowing this afternoon as [shift] made their debut appearance at Parachute Festival.
The Auckland-based band played some smooth tunes from their ep Chase The Wolves which was released in October and can be found on their bandcamp page.
[shift] gained attention after winning the Life fm Your Shot competition with their song Jerusalem and the latest anthem James is currently on the Life FM countdown.
SANITARIUM BIG BREAKFAST
Over 7,500 people came along for the Sanitarium Big Breakfast this morning.
"It was fantastic, we had a great turn out. We had a lot of people coming in right from the start and estimate around 7,500-8,000 people came through. We just had fun doing it, it was a great team effort," says team leader Brian Smith.
This is the second year that Sanitarium have done the Big Breakfast at Parachute.
General Manger Pierre van Heerden added, "Every event that we go to we want to make sure that kids realise the importance of having breakfast and how it makes them feel afterwards. We want to create those healthy habits and help them with that."
CAP MONEY
CAP are concerned by the generational poverty in New Zealand.
Founder John Kirkby says, "The poverty we've seen here in New Zealand, if anything, has shocked us. You've got it as bad as anywhere we've seen."
Mr Kirkby urges anyone who finds themselves in a financially difficult situation not to keep quiet. "Do something. Now. However far you are down the road. Once you begin the slippery slide of spiraling debt there is nothing you can do about it personally. You need professional help," he says. "If there's a CAP centre in your area then please contact us but there are many organisations but please seek help. Don't suffer in shame. You are not alone. It is ok."
Christians Against Poverty are excited to be at Parachute and support the 'pay what you can' initiative for families. "To think of all these young people and the message that is sent out. To see and know that it is incredibly cool and incredibly exciting to have God in your life is fantastic. It's a wonderful conference," he says.
"We're delighted to be here and the message that this isn't just for the rich or the middle class but also for the poor is fantastic. We endorse that and encourage it."
For more information or just to have a chat you can visit John and his team at the CAP tent down in the village.
Reporting by Gemma Margerison
See the Parachute 2012 gallery.
