From Plebs to Celebs! - Parachute '05

Plebs to Celebs – Parachute ‘05

Wow! What a weekend. For those that are new to the ways of the South, Parachute is the biggest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere. It was dusty, dirty, incredibly humid and so much fun all at the same time.

My job this year was quite different yet it was me to a ‘T’! Instead of having a band of my own to take care of as part of the hospitality crowd, I helped to organise bits and pieces for the liaisons – trouble shooting through itinerary clashes, finding those who were lost and ‘schmoozing’ (my word for the weekend!!) with the best of them!

A couple of years ago when I first got the job and ended up at the back of mainstage, I was so in awe I probably made a complete and utter fool of myself – tripping over TV celebrities and trying to spot who was who in the bigger bands… I have to laugh looking back!... if you don’t understand why, just imagine me lost for words (yes! – that happens!) and tripping over myself with nerves!!

At the end of the day though, I’ve discovered something I’m sure you all knew – these people are just people! Talented no doubt – but just people all the same. As exciting a ride as it has all been, it’s been eye-opening to take the glam away (not hard to do when everyone is ‘glistening’ from 9am-9pm!) and just enjoy the experience.

I have made such great friends and enjoyed so many different conversations with amazing people – I’m just so stoked God let me be in the right place at the right time a few years back.

I’ve laughed till I’ve cried this weekend which is the best fun of all! From Nicola’s ‘running man’ dance moves (a-wicka-wicka-wicka!) to Michelle (my boss to whom I am both in awe of and indebted to!) and our ‘hypoxic’ moments, from Portaloo ‘poos’ (nasty spillage that was!) to photos with Ali G look-alikes – it was all there! I can’t think back on the weekend without smiling.

So the run down (for all those who want to know the trivia) from what I observed over the weekend:
Ben Lummis is super nice backstage and easy to look after.
Brooke Fraser is exactly what you see out on stage – a great example.
Audio Adrenaline had a great stage show…
Grits were AMAZING! Those boys can shake a booty with the best of them! Split rhythms, well timed show moves and enough hype to get even the smallest of crowds jumping.
Third Day were great – friendly, enjoyed chatting with anyone and that voice of Mac’s – I swear you would hear it 3 conversations away and do a double take thinking that he was right next to you!
Princess Zulu lives with HIV and has an amazing story to tell – you can’t help but be impacted by her.
Shawn McDonald is actually an amazing photographer who goes around with his camera pack on his back like a snail! He is what I heard described as a ‘brave performer’ – all alone on mainstage with his acoustic guitar – yet he captures crowds just like the big bands do.
Day of Fire would have to be the best of the best. Although not my pick of music they are the epitomy of what a good Christian band should be. They are bubbly, friendly, introduce themselves wherever they go, sign till the fans are gone, say ‘How are you?’ and mean it and would pray with anyone (ask Earl & Celia their liaisons who called it quits at 2.30am 2 and a half hours after the end of their signing schedule!!) They just oozed God and we ALL noticed it.

To see so many Christians come together, to see so many dedicate and rededicate their lives to Christ is awesome. Thank you Mark for an awesome opportunity for Christians around the world to come together and work, play, sing, laugh and most importantly spend time drawing closer to God and seeking His will for our lives – even those that were working from dawn till dusk!

To the liaison extraordinaires – you are the unsung heroes of the world of ‘make-it-happen!!’ and you did just that all the while with such grace and style. I enjoyed your company and so look forward to next year with you. To Michelle – all I can say is… love your work!

If you missed the weekend, book it in for next year. Whether you slum it or skip off site, whether you shower or stink (!!), whether you prefer rock or rave, from plebs to celebs, they’re all at Parachute and, as cliché as it sounds, there really is something for everyone! And if you do make it next year, give me a call and come visit the pridelands of the ‘make-it-happen’s!