Even though Joyful Noise was nearly six months ago, I just can’t keep my mind off it. I guess it could be because 98.5 KTIS has just announced the dates and the lineup for Joyful Noise 2020 that I am even more fired up! Joyful Noise 2019 is certainly an event to remember!
Well, After catching up on the beauty of our travels to Europe and out East for my son’s wedding, I thought it was finally time to sit down and take a moment to reflect on this life changing event.
What is Joyful Noise?
Joyful Noise is an annual music festival that brings together some of the biggest names in Christian Music at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. Check out Joyful Noise 2018 for another idea of what the festival has been.
This incredible event, happens to be Minnesota’s largest Christian music festival, and draws approximately 25,000 individuals annually. Joyful Noise is put on by the great folks at 98.5 KTIS, and is coming up on its 12th year of operation.
What is KTIS?
KTIS is a nonprofit Christian radio station (98.5 FM or 900 AM) that has been a major part of my life since becoming a Christian way back in 1993.
The station, operating since 1949, was a ministry started by the Reverend Billy Graham with the mission “to lead people to Christ and nurture believers in their faith through Christ-centered media.”
KTIS plays Contemporary Christian music offering “hope and encouragement” to those tuning in. Owned now by the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, the organization also aims to better the community with service projects and activities such as the “Drive Thru Difference” and the prayer submission service, PrayerWorks.
For Joyful Noise 2019, KTIS had help putting on the event from another great organization – Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.
What is Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge?
For the past 36 years, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge has been helping those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions find hope by offering a combination of “affordable residential Licensed treatment, faith-based Long-Term Recovery, a convenient Outpatient program and extensive prevention and transitional/aftercare services,” mntc.org.
The organization has touched the lives of thousands and has helped so many individuals get a second chance. Any given day Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge is working with over 700 clients across Minnesota to help them out of their dark life situations, and it was awesome to see them as a sponsor of Joyful Noise 2019.
Joyful Noise – Day One
The crowds. What can I say other than the fact that it was so incredibly beautiful to see so many people out to celebrate at a Christian Music festival. Thousands of people came from all over to sing, dance, and worship together on what was shaping up to be a magnificent day
Sanctus Real
On the first day we had the immense pleasure of witnessing the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Choir singing with the incredible Sanctus Real
It was so powerful to see so many changed lives singing their hearts out for the glory of God.
See Sanctus Real in action Joyful Noise 2019
Rend Collective
Up next, Rend Collective. Joyful Noise had two amazing Irish bands at the event this year and they sure know how to kick up the energy and tell a great story.
Known for such hits as “The Art Of Celebration,” “As Family We Go,” and “Good News,”
The Irish Group inspired me and many others with their incredible music as well as an Irish retelling of the story of the prodigal son.
See Rend Collective in action Joyful Noise 2019
Crowder
The last artist to grace the stage for the night brought with them potentially one of my favorite moments from the entire festival. David Crowder, who has gone by the stage name Crowder since 2012, played some of his biggest hits.
One of these hits “How He Loves” has been a point of controversy in the Christian community for years. One of the lines, which formerly read, “heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss” was changed to “heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss” to appease some of the more uncomfortable individuals in the Christian community.
Have You Even Seen an ASL Interpreter Like Melissa?
Crowder, like any good trouble maker, asked the ASL interpreter (who had been doing a fantastic job all evening) to sign what it would look like if he had kept the sloppy wet kiss lyric LINK TO VIDEO. The crowd (myself included) broke out laughing before Crowder broke into the next song in his set.
Check out the fun exchange here
Check our Crowder in action Joyful Noise 2019
The first day was awesome, and it had me excited to come back for day two.
Joyful Noise – Day Two
The weather was another perfect Minnesota summer day that we have so few of. There are few things better than being with so many amazing friends on such a beautiful day.
I Am They
One of the great surprises of day two was the introduction of the group I AM THEY.
Though I was not previously very familiar with their story, it was a fantastic experience to learn more about them and be exposed to their pop-acoustic style.
The members believe themselves to be a modern day “altar to the lord” built upon their own stories of trial and triumph. They draw upon the tribulations of their lives in their music to create an impact that was being felt by myself and everyone around me.
See I Am They in action
Plumb
The next artist of the day was Plumb.
Known for her alternative rock style, her energy helped get the crowd on their feet and excited to worship the lord.
A great bonus was that she sang “How Many Times” which happens to be one of my favorites!
See Plumb in action here
We Are Messengers
Another great group from day two was We Are Messengers. They were the second Irish group to grace the stage and much like Rend Collective they have been experiencing success outside of their homeland.
2019 has been a remarkable year for the band, having released a top 10 billboard EP and having won a K-Love award for Breakout Single of the Year.
Expect more from them in 2020!
Take a listen to the music and the powerful stories
Matthew West
The next artist that took the stage on day two is one of my favorite Christian artists of all time, Matthew West.
Matthew West is an incredible artist and entertainer.
Listen to Matthew West’s Message to KTIS
He is fantastic at getting the crowd on their feet and into everything that he does.
At one point he even got the crowd to sing most of one of his songs without him!
That’s how much people love Matthew and his songs.
Check out Matthew West in action
Newsboys United
The final group of the night, and of the festival was Newsboys United
I had seen these guys originally at the Minnesota State Fair when my oldest boys were teenagers. And they are still making amazing music.
The Newsboys, having rocked it out since 1985, have gone through several changes to the members of the band throughout the years, but one thing has remained the same, and that is their love of what they do.
Newsboys United loves people and loves performing and their appearance at Joyful Noise was a great reminder of that fact.
They brought out some of their great newer music while also taking it back to the 90’s with some of their classics like “Top 10 Origami” and “Breakfast”.
Their performance solidified my love for them, and has me still singing their songs every other day.
Check out some of their videos!
Don’t Miss It in 2020
Don’t miss this great event next time around!
Joyful Noise 2019 was a life changing time of worship and fellowship with thousands of other individuals from all around the country and around the world.
Don’t miss your chance to attend the upcoming festival in the Summer of 2020. Get your tickets now! PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS JOYFUL NOISE 2020
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oh wow we love Joyful Noise!!! 2019 was amazing and it looks like 2020 will be even better. Thank you so much for writing this.
Evelyn, looking at the line up it looks like it will be an amazing year!
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Joyful Noise was so great. We love the Newsboys!!! Such a great summer weekend event.
We love Newsboys as well. We saw them first years ago and they are still just as amazing.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
We have not been to Joyful Noise yet, but this year, we are going to be doing everything in our power to make it a reality. We want to see Chris Tomlin. It will be Indescribable.
Suzie,
I agree with you, I would do whatever you can to make it a reality. Work with KTIS to get some free tickets as well.