Rock the Universe is an annual Christian rock festival that takes place at Universal Studios Florida. It started in 1998, and it normally takes place in the first or second week of September.
The festival has had three main stages over the years. One is "The Yard Stage", also known as "The Boneyard Stage", which is located on the edge of the park in between the Jimmy Neutron and Twister attractions. It is the largest of the stages, but it was used for the last time at Rock the Universe 2008, as the section will be turned into the entrance for the Rip, Ride, and Rock It roller coaster. The stage always faced outward toward the park except for 2008, where it was up against the building that houses the Jimmy Neutron ride, and facing the building that houses Twister, as a wall had been put it where it used to be to prepare for the construction. Another stage is "The Hollywood Stage", which is by the Central Park area and the lake, close to the middle of the park. It faces Mel's Diner. The third stage is "The Praise and Worship Stage", which is located in the Animal Planet Theater, though it has not been in use in the past couple of years. A new stage for concerts has been built near the entrance to Rip, Ride, and Rock It, in the same area where the Bone Yard once was. This stage was used for the 2009 festival.
The bands that have appeared the most are Relient K at eleven appearances; the Newsboys and Third Day at eight appearances; Skillet and Jars of Clay at seven appearances; GRITS and TobyMac at six appearances; and Audio Adrenaline at five appearances. TobyMac also appeared twice with dc Talk, which means 2010 was his eighth visit to the Christian rock festival. Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline was a special guest speaker at the 2009 festival, marking his sixth appearance at the festival and the first without being a performer.
Rock the Universe is one of three major Christian rock festivals held in Orlando each year.
- Night of Joy, is held at Walt Disney World, around the same time as Rock the Universe. These two festivals are both successful, despite sometimes conflicting dates. Many bands tend to switch between the two festivals. Formerly, Cornerstone Florida, a spin-off of the original Cornerstone Festival, was held in Orlando annually, in May of each year.
- Praise Wave is a festival held annually at SeaWorld Orlando, usually taking place earlier in the year.
Rock The Universe is a member of the Christian Festival Association.
Lineups by Year
Rock the Universe 2018 at Universal Orlando Resort - SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/SubscribeUOR Rock the Universe 2018 returns to Universal Orlando Resort September 7th & 8th! Here's the lineup: Friday, Sept 7: ...
2017
The 2017 event was scheduled to last two nights, but the September 9 event was cancelled as a precautionary measure against Hurricane Irma. Park tickets for September 9 could either be honored on September 8 or obtain a full refund.
2016
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2015
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2014
2013
- Friday, September 6
Switchfoot
Chris Tomlin
Crowder
Tenth Avenue North
Family Force 5
Colton Dixon
Kyle Sherman
- Saturday, September 7
Casting Crowns
Jesus Culture
Lecrae
Relient K
Red
Everfound
Crave
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2012
The official lineup was announced on March 5, 2012
- Friday, September 7
Skillet
Newsboys
Jeremy Camp
Family Force 5
For King & Country
Robert Pierre
- Saturday, September 8
Switchfoot
Tobymac
Relient K
Tenth Avenue North
Britt Nicole
Rhett Walker Band
Group 1 Crew
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2011
The official lineup was announced in late February 2011. [1]
Friday, September 9
- Switchfoot
- David Crowder Band
- Anberlin
- GRITS
- Family Force 5
- Rhema Soul
- Hyland
Saturday, September 10
- Casting Crowns
- Third Day
- Relient K
- Red
- Tenth Avenue North
- Brandon Heath
- Live Fish
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2010
The official lineup was announced on March 3, 2010. [2]
Friday, September 10
- Skillet
- Kutless
- Jars of Clay
- Hawk Nelson
- Decyfer Down
- newsboys
Saturday, September 11
- Jeremy Camp
- Fireflight
- Relient K
- tobyMac
- needtobreathe
- GRITS
Speaker: Dr.Jay Strack
2009
The official 2009 lineup was announced in March 2009.[3]
Friday, September 11:
- Switchfoot
- David Crowder Band
- Jeremy Camp
- Pillar
- Fireflight
- Remedy Drive
- Seven Stories Up
Saturday, September 12:
- Third Day
- TobyMac
- Casting Crowns
- Hawk Nelson
- The Afters
- Group 1 Crew
- New Method
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2008
Friday, September 5:
The Boneyard Stage:
- Switchfoot
- Relient K
- GRITS
- New Method
Hollywood Stage:
- Newsboys
- Skillet
- Group 1 Crew
Saturday, September 6:
The Boneyard Stage:
- Third Day
- Jars of Clay
- Stellar Kart
- Special D
Hollywood Stage:
- Jeremy Camp
- Leeland
- This Beautiful Republic
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2007
Friday, September 7:
- Casting Crowns
- MercyMe
- Jars of Clay
- GRITS
- Hawk Nelson
- Family Force 5
- John Waller
- Echoing Angels
Saturday, September 8:
- Relient K
- Jeremy Camp
- TobyMac
- Skillet
- The Afters
- Pocket Full of Rocks
- Robert Pierre
Special Appearances and Speakers:
- Bethany Hamilton (Friday and Saturday)
- Daren Streblow (Friday and Saturday)
- David Nasser (Friday)
- Dr. Jay Strack (Saturday)
- Brent Crowe (Saturday)
- Chris Peck (Sunday)
2006
Friday, September 8:
- Relient K
- Newsboys
- Kutless
- MxPx
- GRITS
- Skillet
- Krystal Meyers
- Pocket Full of Rocks
- Monday Morning
- Andrea Webber
Saturday, September 9:
- Third Day
- Audio Adrenaline
- Superchick
- DecembeRadio
- Day of Fire
- RED
- Al Denson
- Carl Cartee
Speaker: Dr.Jay Strack
2005
Friday, September 9:
- Michael W. Smith
- Jars of Clay
- David Crowder Band
- Building 429
- Day of Fire
- 12 Stones
- Shane & Shane
- Andy Chrisman
- Circleside
Saturday, September 10:
- Relient K
- Third Day
- Chris Tomlin
- Skillet
- Pillar
- GRITS
- Joel Engle
- Monk & Neagle
- Hyper Static Union
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
- Kainos
2004
Friday, September 10:
- Relient K
- Newsboys
- MercyMe
- Paul Colman
- KJ-52
- John Reuben
- Building 429
- BarlowGirl
- Chris Tomlin
- Paul Clark & Mission Road
- Seven Places
Saturday, September 11:
- Audio Adrenaline
- TobyMac
- ZOEgirl
- Kutless
- Casting Crowns
- Rock & Roll Worship Circus
- Everlife
- Jeff Adams
- David Crowder Band
- Shane & Shane
- Telecast
Speaker: Dr.Jay Strack
2003
Friday, September 5:
- Third Day
- Pillar
- Bleach
- TobyMac
- Superchick
- Kristy Starling
- Souljahz
- Big Dismal
- Taylor
Saturday, September 6:
- Audio Adrenaline
- Newsboys
- Skillet
- MercyMe
- Paul Colman
- The Elms
- Across the Sky
- Justifide
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2002
Friday, September 6:
- Jars of Clay
- Newsboys
- The O.C. Supertones
- Relient K
- Jennifer Knapp
- Contagious
- By the Tree
- Ali Rogers
Saturday, September 7:
- Third Day
- Rebecca St. James
- TobyMac
- Five Iron Frenzy
- Out of Eden
- True Vibe
- Paul Colman
- Daily Planet
- Sarah Sadler
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2001
Friday, September 7:
- dc Talk
- Audio Adrenaline
- Skillet
- Relient K
- SONICFLOOd
- Scarecrow & Tinmen
Saturday, September 8:
- P.O.D.
- Newsboys
- Nicole C. Mullen
- PAX217
- Caedmon's Call
- Earthsuit
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
2000
Friday, September 8:
- The O.C. Supertones
- Jars of Clay
- Big Tent Revival
- Jennifer Knapp
- Contagious
- Rachael Lampa
- Crystal Lewis
- FFH
- Vinyl
Saturday, September 9:
- Audio Adrenaline
- Third Day
- Sixpence None the Richer
- Rebecca St. James
- Switchfoot
- F.O.M.
- The W's
- broken
Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
1999
Friday, September 10:
- dc Talk
- Jars of Clay
- All Star United
- Burlap to Cashmere
- Waterdeep
- Mukala
Saturday, September 11:
- Newsboys
- The O.C. Supertones
- Satellite Soul
- 4HIM
- Caedmon's Call
- Scarecrow & Tinmen
Candlelight Speaker: Dr. Jay Strack
1998
Friday, September 11:
- Newsboys
- Audio Adrenaline
- Burlap to Cashmere
- Seven Day Jesus
- Chris Rice
Saturday, September 12
- Michael W. Smith
- the Kry
- The Altered
- Silage
- Wilshire
- Big Tent Revival
First Candlelight: Dr. Jay Strack
External links
- Official Rock the Universe Site
