If you were around in the early 2000s and into Christian music, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the gospel festival Easterfest—or maybe you knew it as the Australian Gospel Music Festival. From 1999 to 2015, Toowoomba became the unlikely home of one of the most significant gospel festivals Australia had ever seen.
And it wasn’t just about music. It was about unity, community, and evangelism in its most down-to-earth form. Radio presenter and muso Justin Rouillon recently unpacked it all in his podcast The Rise and Fall of Easterfest—a fascinating deep dive into how this little event turned into a movement that literally changed a city.
Gospel Beats & City Streets
Easterfest pulled 40,000 people into Toowoomba at its peak. That’s a lot of folks for a place some cheekily dubbed the “armpit of the earth” (cheers, mystery pastor).
But with bands like Delirious?, Paul Coleman Trio, Rhubarb, and even a young Guy Sebastian gracing the stages, the crowds came—and with them, cash. Toowoomba saw a $20 million economic boost at one point. Local shops had their best trading day ever on Easter Saturday. Even the pubs hosted gigs. That’s outreach with amps turned up to 11.
The best part? Crime rates dropped. That’s not just good planning; that’s spiritual impact. As the Bible says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
Not Just a Church Thing
What made Easterfest really stand out was how it brought the church and the broader community together. It wasn’t a “Christian-only” space—it was a festival where anyone could rock up, have a good time, and maybe hear the gospel for the first time.
Churches united across denominations. Local council, police, and business leaders backed it. It was a community effort in every sense, with eternal impact.
Seeds Planted, Fruit Growing
Easterfest launched careers too. Aussie Christian artists like Rookie and even For King & Country got their start on the Easterfest stage. And behind the music were stories of rescue, restoration, and even royal influence—seriously, there’s a connection to Meghan Markle that you’ve got to hear about in the podcast.
It’s a solid reminder that when Christians step out in faith and unity, big things happen. As Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
The Legacy Lives On
Though the music’s faded and the stages packed down, the legacy of Easterfest still echoes in Toowoomba and beyond. It wasn’t perfect, but it was powerful. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a model for what gospel festivals—and gospel people—can do in Aussie towns today.
Listen to the full conversation of Justin Rouillon.
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