KingsFest: a weekend of contemporary Christian music

Richmond no longer boasts the volume of summer months entertainment options that could be found in the area back in the not-too-distant day.

The R-Braves have deserted us. Friday Cheers is a shadow of its former self and central Virginia newcomers likely have no idea that the Classic Amphitheater was once the site of a steady diet of big-time May through August concert offerings.

But as other events come and go, we can always count on KingsFest, Kings Dominion's annual contemporary Christian music showcase, which is back this weekend for three days of faith-based rock, praise and commerce.

KingsFest opened Thursday night with a lineup headlined by Jeremy Camp and Relient K and a supporting cast of Family Force 5, Bluetree, Remedy Drive and speaker Matt Pitt.

While Bluetree, Camp and Pitt were loud and proud in their praise, Family Force 5 and Relient K knocked out sets that, given the theme of the event, were surprisingly nonspiritual.

No night of contemporary Christian tunes is complete without a set of "Christian crunk punk," the description that the boys of Family Force 5 place on their brand of grinding electric guitar riffs and screaming vocals.

Dressed in gold shoulder pads and football pants, lead singer Soul Glow led band mates Chap Stique, Activatur, Fatty and Nadaddy through a 45-minute set of fan favorites including "Fever," "Drama Queen" and "Get Your Back off the Wall."

Though Soul Glow claimed he was put on this earth to "party hard for Jesus Christ," it was difficult to discern the spiritual message in lyrics like "Do you want to get supersonic? Super duper sonic?" or "Shake it like an earthquake, move your tail."

Family Force 5's high-octane tunes may not float everyone's boat, but anyone would love the group's shaggy-haired, lanky stage hand Xanadu. So much more than a guitar handler, Xanadu contributed a sixth bobbing head, a leap from the speakers, and many well-rehearsed air-guitar licks to the group's Thursday night set.

With a short sermon and frequent references to scripture, Camp's outstanding hourlong set was more conventional in both method and message.

Those not familiar with Camp's music can consider him the Chris Daughtry of the contemporary Christian music world. Camp filled his compelling song list with salvation and grace, power ballads and anthems such as "Capture Me," "Give You Glory" and "There Will Be a Day."

Camp's attempt at diversity, the slightly Latin-laced "I'm Alive," was quite pleasant but also convincing evidence that he should stick with the hook-based pop/rock formula that is serving him so well.

Welcomed to the stage by a flood of purple lights and smoke and with the theme to "Rocky" playing in the background, Relient K closed out the first day of KingsFest.

Lead singer Matthew Thiessen et al. knocked out a set list of pop-punk tunes from their five studio albums along with a preview of work from "Forget and Not Slow Down," a recently completed collection scheduled for a fall release.

KingsFest's three-day run concludes today with scheduled appearances by Kutless, DecembeRadio, KJ-52, the David Crowder Band, and the Newsboys.