I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. I played in a band called “The Lost Souls.” Last year I returned to my hometown, being given free tickets to a Rolling Stones concert where 81- year-old Mick Jagger belted out songs our band formerly played!

Have you taken your place on the wall?

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We packed into the waterfront stadium – a controlled environment, although there were wafts of marijuana permeating the air. 60,000 of us later left singing “Satisfaction” with plenty of police everywhere. This venue was controlled, and closely covered for everyone’s security.

A week ago I attended another concert fest, but this was much different. I was part of an evangelism ministry team, reaching out to the almost 100,000 primarily young people coming to Manchester, Tennessee for the annual Bonnaroo four-day music extravaganza.

Why do I do this on an annual basis? Simply put: there are masses of broken, lonely people who need Jesus!

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He told his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest field’” (Matthew 9:37–38).

Security was minimal at Bonnaroo (and it was different than the Stones event) with its free flowing, roam the grounds “live it up” vibe. Most girls cast modesty aside amidst lots of guys with “hungry eyes” checking out the scantily clad babes strolling the grounds.

As darkness descended and the performing groups thundered out a cacophony of musical sounds, discerning disciples of Jesus could sense spirits of uncleanness and lust in the air. All the performers were not like “Vampires” and “Glass Animals” and storms cancelled the entire event (the co-founder mysteriously died beforehand), but I knew what to expect.

As summer officially gets underway, music festivals abound in America. They’re too numerous to count and bring a bundle of bucks to promoters. Unsupervised young people are drawn by performing artists and provocative themes like “Get Funky,” “Rock the South,” “Wayne Stock,” “Beyond Wonderland,” “Day Trip” and “Electric Forest.”

Heads Up!

Survey the scene at Lollapalooza: “Ratboys,” “Alex Sucks,” “FCUKERS,” “People are Ugly,” “Still Woozy,” “Latin Mafia” to name a few. Some “artists” take off on profanity laced political rants and promote abortion and trans insanity.

Bigger names like Beyoncé and Lil Wayne draw big crowds. The latter has morphed from a mini Michael Jackson image to a raunch rapper doing hip-hop now in his 40s.

Lil Wayne is  a convicted felon out of prison making millions with his tough guy image and defiant songs and albums like “I Am Not a Human Being,” “Annihilate” and his all-time biggest hit “Lollipop” which is an X-rated anthem of perversion and profanity.

Responsible parents and guardians need to ask the question: “Should I let my son or daughter go with his/her friends to these outdoor multi-day events?

Recent Research

From a common-sense standpoint, let’s look at what reputable research reveals before we cite scripture. We need to make an informed decision when one of our own requests going to a seemingly innocent music fest.

The Durham Report of a few years ago provides us with helpful insights. This research study conducted by Durham University highlights some very real dangers.

“Music Festivals Urged to Do More to Tackle Sexual Violence” was the title of the report. The study stated that “the set up and culture of music festivals can create dangerous spaces, where sexual violence and harassment can be perpetuated…The combination of size, layout, attitudes and behavior at festivals can make these events conducive to sexual violence.”

Participants in the study appealed to the organizers of these festivals to take this seriously and face the brutal reality that this is a definite safety risk. The research was shocking as it revealed that among 450 festival goers, a third of the females were sexually harassed and 8% were sexually assaulted!

Sexual Assault and Rape

Researcher Heather McKay released a well-documented article on the rise of sexual violence at these types of concerts which was featured on foxnews.com.

She opened the piece with these words: “Gone are the days when the worst thing a woman had to worry about at a concert was getting her purse snatched. Experts we talked to say sexual assaults at concerts and music festivals are on the rise, the product of lax security, drugs and alcohol.”

Heather cited the following:

• Sexual battery at a Beyoncé concert
• A teenager allegedly raped in broad daylight at a Keith Urban concert while others watched. The attorney justified the behavior as “consensual.”
• At one event there was a woman raped and robbed; a teenager assaulted in a porta potty; a parking lot attendant raped a girl.

Experts say that organizers don’t want to spoil the atmosphere with security “snooping” around and point out that “most victims don’t report crimes and many can’t recall details due to drugs and alcohol.”

Bible Counsel

God created music and festive celebrations, but the enemy “comes to steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). “Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). “And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment!” (Phil.1:9).

The Book of Proverbs written with a primary focus on guiding young people tells us in no uncertain terms, “The prudent see danger and take refuge but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Prv.27:12)

Here’s the deal: not all pop singers and songs are perverted and immoral. Not every concert and festival is a haven of hedonism. If you look hard and research carefully, you can find some great ones and God-honoring artists whom we should support… but be careful and don’t compromise – your children’s futures are at stake.

A founding father of rock ‘n’ roll is little Richard and he has something to add to the conversation. His life became a cesspool of cocaine and sexual promiscuity. Let him give us the “parting shot” as he served the Lord Jesus Christ, as a minister of the gospel prior to his going home to heaven.

“Be careful because certain forms of music do not glorify God! You can’t drink out of God’s cup and the devil’s cup at the same time.”

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(Photo Credit: Colin Lloyd on Unsplash)