The 25th annual, four-day festival filled with Christian music stars returns to Muskegon’s Heritage Landing starting on Wednesday. The preview, Chapman interview and schedule at Local Spins.
Celebrating 25 Years: Unity Festival expects to draw big crowds again later this week. (Courtesy Photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE/THURSDAY UPDATE: A broken leg requiring surgery has sidelined singer-songwriter David Crowder, and the artist has withdrawn from his Saturday headlining slot. Replacing Crowder on the Christian music bill will be Matt Maher, who was one of the headliners at last year’s festival. Scroll down for festival guide and schedule.
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Two anniversaries are poised for a joint celebration.
Converging are the 25th annual Unity Music Festival in Muskegon and the 25th anniversary of singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman’s Grammy-winning “Speechless” release.
Chapman is headlining Friday evening at the four-day Christian music event. And the timing was right for both the festival and the veteran music artist.
“It’s the 25th anniversary in 2025 and I thought this would be the year to do something like that,” said Chapman, 62, from his home near Nashville.
Quarter-Century Since ‘Speechless’: Steven Curtis Chapman (Courtesy Photo)
His “Speechless” album generated seven #1 hits on various Christian music charts, including songs such as “Fingerprints of God,” “Great Expectations” and the title track. A full-fledged tour with the entire album comes this fall, and the artist said he’s had to re-learn a number of the songs.
“I’ll probably be saying, ‘Hey, I’m gonna practice a few of these for you guys and see what you think,'” said Chapman of how he may introduce his Unity set.
Festival director Kevin Newton said there was a plan to dovetail the overlapping musical landmarks.
“Steven is a legacy artist and has been to Unity numerous times, including in the early years,” said Newton, who directs the festival on behalf of the non-profit Alive on the Lakeshore.
They teamed Chapman up with another veteran artist, Rebecca St. James, who first performed at the festival in 2002.
“She started as a teenager, but is still touring and recording while being a wife and mother – that’s hard to do in this business,” he said of St. James who performs just before Chapman.
BEN FULLER, MATTHEW WEST, MATT MAHER AND ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS ALSO ON TAP
Headlining the “Day Zero,” free-admission Wednesday is singer-songwriter Ben Fuller. His duet with Carrie Underwood (“If It Was Up to Me”) was just nominated for a 2025 Dove Award as bluegrass/country/roots song of the year.
Matthew West, perhaps the most frequent performer in the festival’s quarter century, headlines Thursday, while another veteran, Matt Maher, closes out the final night Saturday.
The original headliner, David Crowder, broke his leg and had to pull out. Mayer, one of the headliners from last year, wrote on social media that he’s “excited to step in this weekend and headline the Unity Christian Music Festival this Saturday.”
Maher, 50, is best known for his faith-inspired songs such as “Alive and Breathing,” “All the People Said Amen” and the Grammy-nominated “Lord, I Need You.”
The festival also features the usual children’s activities, merchandise, food and information booths.
Ben Fuller: Headlining the free Wednesday night. (Courtesy Photo)
The anniversary theme runs throughout. “We’ll be playing videos of fans’ Unity stories during the breaks, as well as have special recognition for sponsors, volunteers and coordinators,” Newton said.
The festival divides proceeds among 16 area faith-based, non-profit charities.
When Chapman headlined Unity in 2006, his guitar tech was his teenage son Caleb. His sons (Caleb and Will Franklin Chapman) eventually joined their father’s band before forming their own indie rock group, Colony House. “Some of my best days were playing with my boys,” recalled the elder Chapman.
A highlight for the veteran artist was last year’s surprise induction to the Grand Ole Opry: the first contemporary Christian music artist to receive such an invitation.
“My first job playing music professionally was in the old Opryland Amusement Park right next door,” he said. “So going back there as a member is like going full circle for me.”
With five Grammys and 60 Dove Awards, you might wonder what’s yet to come for the seven-time grandfather.
Well, this year also marks three decades since his first holiday album, “The Music of Christmas.” There may be an anniversary tour. “That was a special (album) to make: We got to go all in on that one,” said Chapman of the project which shimmered with choirs and orchestrations.
Looking back, he counts his career as an amazing blessing; many of his songs are musical journey entries from his life.
“Of everyone who ever sat down and wrote a song and then to get to stand on stages and share the music….it’s so special and unique to where I am.”
UNITY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025: THE SCHEDULE & GUIDE
WHEN: Wednesday-Saturday (Aug. 6-9)
WHERE: Heritage Landing, 1050 W. Seventh St., Muskegon
WEBSITE: http://www.unitymusicfestival.com/
GATES OPEN: 4 p.m. Wednesday; 1 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
HEADLINERS: Ben Fuller, Matthew West, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matt Maher
ALSO: Family Fun Zone featuring free games and activities; toddlers’ and kids’ areas
TICKETS: Wednesday is free. Thursday-Saturday one-day pass $68.30 ($73.45 starting Wednesday), three-day pass $104.35 ($114.65 starting Wednesday); Kids under age 5 free; tickets available online here: https://www.itickets.com/events/480147 (Tickets at the gate are $115 for three days, $75 for one.)
TIPS: Bring your own chairs or blankets. (Coolers not allowed).
PARKING: In adjacent lots $10, handicap spaces available. Shuttles provided for accessible parking areas. There are alternate parking options in nearby private lots and on-street.
THE SCHEDULE
Rebecca St. James (Courtesy Photo)
• 5 p.m. – Eli Gable
• 6 p.m. – The Band Jaren
• 7 p.m. – Jason Crabb
• 8:10 p.m. – Speaker – Bob Lenz
• 9 p.m. – Ben Fuller
THURSDAY
• 2 p.m. – Unity Praise Choir
• 2:45 p.m. – Sean Rodriguez
• 3:45 p.m. – Caleb & John
• 4:45 p.m. – Terrian
• 6:15 p.m. – Josh Baldwin
• 7:20 p.m. –Tasha Layton
• 9 p.m. – Matthew West
FRIDAY
• 2 p.m. – Unity Praise Choir
• 2:45 p.m. – Jamie MacDonald
• 4 p.m. – Seph Schlueter
• 5:10 p.m. – Cochren & Co.
• 7 p.m. – Rebecca St. James
• 9 p.m. – Steven Curtis Chapman
SATURDAY
• 2 p.m. – Unity Praise Choir
• 2:45 p.m. – Nathan Sheridan
• 4 p.m. – Jonathan Traylor
• 6 p.m. – Andrew Ripp
• 7:20 p.m. – Sidewalk Prophets
• 9 p.m. – Matt Maher
All times approximate and artist rosters subject to change.
Birds’ Eye View: Unity Christian Music Festival (Courtesy Photo)
