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Friday, Jun. 13, 2008

Cicadas join the fun

Fans, performers rock to the music, despite swarming insects

WILMORE -- In addition to more than 100 musical acts and thousands of people, the Ichthus Farm is playing host to some very special, if not annoying, guests this weekend: cicadas.

Lots of them.

The insects -- which come out every 17 years and have never before interrupted the Ichthus schedule -- swarmed above the Deep End stage where the 39th annual Ichthus Christian music festival officially began with the Ascenxion Scout Competition Battle of the Bands. The cicadas dive-bombed performers and audience members alike, and Battle of the Bands emcee Josh Brown dared audience members to consume the "locusts."

"If they were good enough for John the Baptist, they're good enough for us," Brown said after persuading an audience member to eat a cicada in exchange for a free Day of Fire T-shirt. Brown is the lead singer of Day of Fire, and will perform with his band at 9:20 p.m. Saturday on the Deep End stage.

The Battle of the Bands competition's 9:30 a.m. start time was the earliest ever at Ichthus. About 100 people flocked to the stage from their campsites to watch 10 bands compete for a chance to play longer sets later this weekend. Each band was allowed 15 minutes for a sound check and to perform as many songs as members could fit in the allotted time. Three judges selected the winners based on performance and audience enthusiasm, Brown said.

Many artists commented about the swarms of cicadas during their sets. Jeremy Devore, the drummer for the Los Angeles-based band Destination 7, said after the group's performance that a cicada landed on his ear during the band's set and he had to head-bang to get it off. The band's keyboardist, Bryan Malolot, joked that a cicada helped him play by landing on a few of the keys.

Destination 7 did not place in the competition, but will get to play at 2:55 p.m. Saturday on the Edge stage. Lead vocalist Natasha Ponticelli said the band earned its Saturday set by sending a demo to Ichthus organizers a few months ago.

A variety of musical genres was highlighted during the three-hour competition, including punk, U2-esque rock and an acoustic one-person set by Justin Harris.

The competition's opening act and grand-prize winner, mile7, featured lead vocalist John Porter on violin for one of its songs. The band won the opportunity to play a 10-minute set at 7:50 p.m. Friday on the Main Stage, as well as a 30-minute set at 5 p.m. Saturday on the Deep End stage. Mile7 also won a chance to take part in a national competition in Nashville for the ultimate prize of a development deal with Essential Records.

Shirock, a band from Nashville, took second place and will perform at 8:25 p.m. Saturday on the Edge stage.

Indianapolis-based Farebridge, who performed with a cardboard cut-out figure of John Wayne on stage, placed third and will perform at 5:10 p.m. Friday on the Edge stage.

Backstage, many artists mingled and complimented one another on their respective sets. Brown told the crowd he was particularly impressed with Mason Bellamy, the lead vocalist and guitar player for Mason, Bellamy's band, which is based in Apple Creek, Ohio. Bellamy is only 14 years old and will enter ninth grade in the fall.

"I wish I could have played like him when I was his age, or now," Brown said.

Bands including Shirock and Live Fish sold CDs and T-shirts at tables near the audience, and others, such as Destination 7's Ponticelli, wandered through the crowd to sign autographs and take photos with new fans.

After the show, Brown said he was impressed with how young and "tight" the bands were.

"Everybody here did great. It was a pleasure to share the stage with young, healthy musicians," he said.

Brown praised Ichthus' mission, telling audience members they were in a special place this weekend, and to take advantage of the music as well as the worship opportunities available around the campgrounds.

"I've been to Ichthus the past four years and have talked to the organizers," he said during a break between acts. "The people here at Ichthus care about you guys. They want you to experience a place where you can come and be you and be loved, not only by other people, but by God."