Last month, the all-day Catholic music festival Catholicpalooza was held on July 27 at the Williams Center in Rutherford, New Jersey. The event showcased over 15 talented Catholic musicians nationwide, offering a unique and gripping musical experience. Despite receiving some criticism from online naysayers after being covered by the National Catholic Register, the event successfully fostered eclectic activities for Catholics of all stripes to experience and enjoy.
Catholicpalooza originated when the post-punk Catholic artist Hallowed conceived the idea in November 2022. Organized by Adam Stynchula, a musician known as Wafers 3D, the festival’s original aim was to highlight Catholic musicians creating original music across various genres. Stynchula succinctly described Catholicpalooza‘s atmosphere as “halfway between parish festival and Coachella,” emphasizing temperance and modesty.
After the overwhelming success of last year’s festival in Richmond, Virginia, Stynchula assembled a team to pursue putting this year’s festival in the Northeast. “NJ has one of the highest concentrations of Catholics in the US, and the venue is massive,” said Stynchula, reflecting on the high attendance at the Williams Center. “Thanks to all our awesome musicians, vendors, volunteers, collaborators, and friends, we were able to make this year possible!”
The lineup included a variety of musical acts such as E-Knock, Franco Aurelio, Mike J. Delouis, Marisel, Father Maximilian Mary Dean, and many more. They represented a range of genres, including Latin, ’80s Synth-pop, indie, hip-hop, and acoustic folk. This mix was one of the event’s greatest strengths and inadvertently underscored the universality of the Church on a large scale. Likewise, people traveled worldwide to come together for music, giving exposure to talented musicians without compromising their values.
This year, Stynchula sought to expand the festival to include vendors and non-musical artists. Unlike traditional praise-and-worship concerts, Catholicpalooza provided a platform for Catholic artists to showcase their distinct talents. In addition to the musical performances, attendees could check out vendors such as Students for Life, small businesses, writers and authors promoting online zines and novels, podcasters, and the Italian Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Newark, adding to the overall experience.
Catholicpalooza was more than just a music festival. It was a platform for Catholics to come together, united by their love for music and their shared values. The festival’s mission, shared by Behold The Faith, was to support and promote talented individuals who uphold these values. It was a celebration of the Catholic community’s vibrant, creative energy and spirit, both online and in person, and a testament to the power of unity in diversity.
In 2024, Catholicpalooza was more than a music festival. It was a gathering of like-minded individuals, a celebration of faith, music, and community. The warmth and camaraderie that permeated the event were apparent in the feedback from attendees.
It was common to hear things like, “This is my first concert!” or, “This year was bigger and better than ever. I had such a wonderful time meeting both returning faces and new faces!” Or, as one person said, heading back to their hotel room at the end of the night, “What an excellent family to have. Thank you so much for doing this. God bless you all!”
We cannot help but agree.
For content from past festivals or to follow updates for Catholicpalooza 2025, visit Catholicpalooza.com or follow @Catholicpalooza on Instagram.
To read more from Josef Luciano or to contact him directly, please visit www.josefluciano.com.
