So we had this concert again this year that we had last year for the first time. Operation Overflow is a youth- run, youth designed Christian concert (I try to act as advisor/fundraiser) with two primary purposes in mind:

 

1. Raise money for an international and a local cause. Last year was Youth For Christ Morden and World Vision; this year was Pembina Valley Pregnancy Crisis Centre and One Love Project Rwanda (de-mining).

 

2. Create an environment that would bring Christian and non-Christian, churched and non-churched youth together to enjoy themselves and allow the Spirit to break down walls between them.

 

Musically the last two years the music has been very hardcore which stands just outside of my personal area of appreciation. The bands included:

 

 – A local talent to open (this year a techno-DJ, DJExodus – www.myspace.com/djexodus)

– Anew

– Disillusion

– Scarlet Halo

– Unfeigned

– The Fortunate (have been getting their video played on MuchLoud)

 

I think all the bands are awesome. I most appreciate Disillusion for the combination of great instruments and vocals. I would put Anew, The Fortunate and Scarlet Halo in the same sound category (screamo). Very younger folks they sound like Underoath. For old people like me they sound like Skinnypuppy. Personally I think Scarlet Halo is the best of the three in terms of tight instruments and an added flair for performance. Unfeigned was very good to watch as well – they have a screamo tendancy with some interesting onstage moves that are reminiscent of rap.

 

This year there were  well over 350 people in attendance which was pretty awesome. Musically the style will change as the popularity of certain styles changes. I hope to have a broader selection of styles for next year to draw more folks in. We shall see. I also hope to involve more groups from the area in planning the event. It would be great to turn Operation Overflow into a non-profit entity and to see it grow in terms of content and location as well.

 

Thanks for the support of our ponsors this year – Decor Cabinets, Pembina Valley Containers, Zeena Transport, The Business, Boston Pizza, Java Junktion, YFC Morden and Morden Alliance Church.