The 2024 edition of the festival heats up Heritage Landing starting Wednesday, with stars such as Zach Williams, Matthew West, We Are Messengers and Tenth Avenue North. The preview and schedule.
Zach Williams: The Christian music star headlines Saturday night’s lineup at Unity. (Courtesy Photo)
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This year’s Unity Christian Music Festival has taken another step to better accommodate its audiences.
“For the first time we’re providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters,” said festival director Kevin Newton. “We’re trying to figure out how best it can work – where to place them so they’re visible and how to light them at night,” Newton explained.
Interpreting song lyrics for audiences is not a new concept. But the logistical challenges are daunting: four days worth of concerts of more than 10,000 fans each at the expansive Heritage Landing venue in Muskegon.
Already large screen images of the music artists are projected from either side of the stage.
The 2024 Unity lineup opens as usual with a free-admission night Wed. Aug. 7 (see info box below). Among the noted artists are singer-songwriters Brandon Heath and Matt Maher.
Packed Venue: A scene from a past Unity Christian Music Festival crowd. (Courtesy Photo)
Frequent Unity headliner Matthew West (“Don’t Stop Praying”) makes an appearance on Thursday.
The artist with perhaps the widest musical appeal is the country-slanted Zach Williams, set for Friday. His debut album, “Chain Breaker,” won a Grammy Award in 2018, as did his duet several years later with Dolly Parton. (“There Was Jesus” has racked up 65 million views on YouTube. Check out the video below.) ).
Singer-songwriter Darren Mulligan and We Are Messengers (“God Be The Glory”) round out the headlining artists on Saturday.
A volunteer “Unity” choir opens the music on Unity’s final three days.
“There’s several (music) artists here for the first time, but a real mix of old and new favorites,” said Newton, who directs the festival on behalf of Alive on the Lakeshore, a faith-based non-profit.
Among other musical highlights: Mac Powell, now a solo artist after a long run with the defunct Third Day (on Friday) and the re-formed pop-rock group Tenth Avenue North (Saturday – full schedule below).
One of the newcomers is Seph Schlueter, who has a 2024 Dove Award nomination as new artist of the year. His breakout song, “Counting Your Blessings,” is also nominated.
Matthew West (Courtesy Photo)
Based on corporate sponsorships, donations and ticket sales, Unity has been able to bring festival income above expenses most years. Resulting proceeds are then shared with area Christian agencies such as the Muskegon Rescue Mission, Love INC. and Urban Family Ministries in Grand Rapids.
In turn, some of these organizations provide a segment of the more than 500 volunteers needed to run the festival.
Two northern Michigan kids’ camps supervise teen and kids activity areas.
“Our costs have gone up the last couple of years,” noted Newton of inflationary pressures. But families looking for entertainment outlets feel similar strains.
“We were able to keep ticket prices unchanged from last year,” he said. “But it takes the whole picture: sponsorships, volunteers, concessions and people buying tickets,” Newton added.
Next summer will mark Unity’s 25th anniversary with some special surprises in store, according to the director.
2024 UNITY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS
Matt Maher (Courtesy Photo)
When: Wednesday-Saturday (Aug. 7-10). Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday; 1 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Where: Heritage Landing, 1050 W. Seventh St., Muskegon
Website: http://www.unitymusicfestival.com/
Headliners: Matt Maher, Matthew West, Zach Williams, We Are Messengers
Other Attractions: Family Fun Zone featuring free games and activities; toddlers’ and kids’ areas
Tickets: Wednesday is free. Thursday-Saturday one-day pass $55, three-day pass $90; Kids under age 5 free; tickets available online here. (Not refundable based on specific artist cancellations; check website for line-up changes).
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 UNITY MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
Wednesday August 7 – Festival gates open at 4:00 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m. – Laurel Taylor
• 6:00 p.m. – Bryan Terrel
• 7:10 p.m. – Brandon Heath
• 8:10 p.m. – Speaker – Luke LeFevre
• 9:00 p.m. – Matt Maher
Thursday August 8 – Festival gates open at 1:00 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – Unity Praise
• 2:45 p.m. – Sean Be
• 3:45 p.m. – The Band JAREN
• 4:45 p.m. – The Sound
• 6:15 p.m. – Consumed by Fire
• 7:20 p.m. – Tasha Layton
• 9:00 p.m. – Matthew West
Friday August 9 – Festival gates open at 1:00 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – Unity Praise
• 2:45 p.m. – Jason Fowler
• 4:00 p.m. – Stars Go Dim
• 5:45 p.m. – Meredith Andrews
• 7:00 p.m. – Mac Powell
• 9:00 p.m. – Zach Williams
Saturday August 10 – Festival gates open at 1:00 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m. – Unity Praise
• 2:45 p.m. – Seph Schlueter
• 4:00 p.m. – Natalie Layne
• 6:00 p.m. – David Leonard
• 7:20 p.m. – Tenth Avenue North
• 9:00 p.m. – We Are Messengers
Note: All times considered tentative and artists subject to change.
VIDEO: Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus”
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