Hills Alive 2008 this weekend will be bigger and fresher than in past years with special late-night events and a new lineup of national artists, including 20 acts that have never performed at the festival before.

The main stage lineup includes Switchfoot, Mandisa, TobyMac, Matthew West, Tree 63, Superchick, Building 429, Brandon Heath and Group 1 Crew.

"American Idol" fans might recognize the name Mandisa in that list. She was a fan favorite on the fifth season of the television show, and although she's never been to Hills Alive, she's excited about performing at the festival.

"I'm always excited about these kinds of events," Mandisa said in a phone interview. "I think the great thing about festivals like Hills Alive is that there is something for everyone. The night I'll be there, Switchfoot also will be performing and they are a rock band. The fact that I'm going to be on the same stage as them means there is a going to be a little bit for everybody."

Mandisa also said that she is excited that the event is being held in a park and free to the public, because she hopes it will encourage people to come to the event who don't normally listen to Christian music.

"That's the great thing about this. Good music is good music. The thing I love about Christian music is that - first of all it is good music - but it is also so encouraging encourage," she said. "Anybody that sort of needs a pick-me-up can benefit from it. We live in a world that has needs - whether you're a Christian or not - and we speak to those needs."

Mandisa will be performing Sunday night and characterizes her sound as "soul-pop."

"I grew up with Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston and that kind of soul-pop," she said. "I get to do that kind of soul-pop music that I want to do and I get to talk about my favorite person - Jesus."

Mandisa is also looking forward to getting to see the other artists.

"It will be so great to see my buds. Matthew West, TobyMac. Oh, and I love Group 1 Crew," she said.

West will be performing at Hills Alive for the first time this year as well and he echoed many of Mandisa's comments.

"I get excited about every concert we get a chance to do," he said by phone. "Every show is a new experience with new people. I've heard good things about the crowd in South Dakota; looking forward to experiencing it myself for the first time."

West said that his sound could be categorized as pop rock, and although he is traveling with his band, he will also have moments in his show that are stripped down and acoustic.

"My real passion is songwriting and really telling stories through song," West said. "I love the opportunity to sing for people."

For West, singing is a treat, because last year he had to have surgery on his vocal cords and he was told he might not be able to sing again.

"Now every time I get on the stage I'm just filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be able to do it again," he said. "When people see performers, sometimes they think we have it all together. But we all have broken pieces in our lives. God loves us and he's never finished with us no matter how many broken pieces we have. God wasn't finished with me as a singer yet. So He's the reason that I'll be up on stage at Hills Alive."

Tom Schoenstedt, general manager of KSLT, KLMP and the Point, said he is excited about the lineup of artists.

"We try to find the hottest up-and-coming artists and we want to provide a diverse array of music so that there's something for everybody," Schoenstedt said.

In addition to the main stage, the Rapid Fire Stage also has been expanded.

"I'm excited about the expansion we've been able to do this year," said Kathy Cook, Hills Alive director. "The Rapid Fire Stage will be active both days. We have expanded the children's area and we will also have a large 15-by-20-foot LED screen in the concert area at the main stage."

The Rapid Fire stage lineup includes Dizmas, JayMay, Sound Method, Angel Dean, Wavorly, Group 1 Crew,

Lightswitch, Kronicles, Rex Lex, Flatfoot56 and Fireflight.

"The Rapid Fire stage will host a late-night event geared toward youth and young adults and at the same time on the south lawn, there will be a late-night coffeehouse with acoustic performers Brandon Heath, Angel Dean and Rex Lex," Cook said.

Cook and Schoenstedt said they want all the festival attendees to enjoy the summer weather at the festival, but they also advise people to be prepared for the sun and the heat.

"Be prepared for a warm day," Cook said. "Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water."

Schoenstedt said festival-goers might also want to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and in consideration of others, the festival coordinators would prefer that pets be left at home.

If you go

What: Hills Alive Christian music festival

Where: Memorial Park

When: Starting 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, through Sunday, July 20

Cost: Free admission, with freewill offering

Saturday

Main Stage, starting at 1 p.m. - Group 1 Crew, Brandon Heath, Tree 63, Superchick and

TobyMac

Rapid Fire Stage - Dizmas, JayMay, Sound Method, Angel Dean, Wavorly and Group 1 Crew

Sunday

Main Stage - Community worship with Tree 63 at 1 p.m., followed by Building 429, Matthew West, Mandisa and Switchfoot

Rapid Fire Stage - Youth worship with Angel Dean noon, followed by Lightswitch, Kronicles, Rex Lex, Flatfoot56 and Fireflight

Contact Crystal Hohenthaner at 394-8316 or crystal.hohenthaner@rapidcityjournal.com.