7 Must See Acts: UMS 2023

As we embark on our 13th Underground Music Showcase’s an outlet, we wanted to celebrate the amazing Denver community and its vibrant music scene for allowing to capture and cover some amazing bands from the last decade.

Every year we scour our lineups and schedules to make a list of our top ten acts we recommend. While each year has its challenges, it also allows us to share bands some of you may not be familiar with.

Without further adieu…..

Seven Must See Acts

Spill Tab

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 6:35-7:20 PM

Welcome to the world of Spill Tab, where musical boundaries are shattered, emotions run wild, and acoustic landscapes transport you to another dimension. With a unique blend of haunting melodies, soul-stirring lyrics, and ethereal vocals, Spill Tab offers a transformative acoustic experience that leaves audiences captivated and craving more.

Led by the enigmatic and immensely talented artist Spill Tab, this musical project invites listeners to embark on a journey through the vast depths of human emotions. Drawing from personal experiences and introspection, Spill Tab's music serves as a cathartic outlet, resonating with anyone who has ever felt lost, vulnerable, or overwhelmed.

Incorporating elements from various genres like indie-folk, dream pop, and alternative rock, Spill Tab weaves a sonic tapestry that is profoundly intimate yet universally relatable. Each song tells a story, inviting you into a world where heartaches and triumphs merge to create something truly extraordinary. The lyrics delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, pain, self-discovery, and the complexities of the human condition.

Air Dubai

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 4:25-5:10 PM


Air Dubai is an American alternative hip-hop band formed in 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The band consist of five talented individuals who came together with a shared passion for music and an unwavering desire to create something unique and unforgettable. Combining elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop, Air Dubai quickly gained recognition for their energetic live performances and diverse sound.

Air Dubai disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable catalog of music that continues to inspire and captivate fans worldwide. Their legacy lives on through their unique fusion of genres, thought-provoking lyrics, and unforgettable live performances. Some of you may remember their reunion show during our 5th anniversary party at Pearls.

Air Dubai's influence can be seen in the countless artists that followed, incorporating elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop in their own work. Their ability to push musical boundaries and stay true to their artistic vision. Excited to see the band back together for this year, we could not be more excited.

Levi Double U

Oasis Stage | Friday, July 28th | 4:50-5:40 PM

Levi Double U, the incredible musical prodigy, is making waves in the music industry with his extraordinary talent and unique style. Levi's passion for music has been instrumental in various projects he has been part of. His ability to effortlessly switch and adapt to his music projects gives us a hint of his musical knowledge. His dj sets are always consistent with house bangers and carefully orchestrated dance floor starters. Wether its playing drums for Neoma or making us shake our ass to to his DJ moniker Levi Double U, he is a must see this week.

ROOTBEER RICHIE AND THE REVEILLE

UMS House | Friday, July 28th | 11:59-12:45 AM

We first came across this band a few years ago as our last act at UMS on a hot, sweaty, Sunday night at The Hi Dive. Our lives haven’t been the same since. A fusion of all the genres we love, the band manages to pull off a set inducing dance party with all kinds of elements at its disposal. From horns to infectious anthem cries, this band will steal the show this year, we guarantee it. Be ready to dance, be ready to sweat and be ready to talk about it the next day!

Virgi Dart

HQ Denver | Sunday, July 30th | 6:00-6:45 PM

In Colombia Virgi's musical prowess has afforded her the opportunity to perform on the most important + grand stages in her hometown, Cali, along with many respected venues throughout her home country. Prior to moving to the US, Virgi headlined at the most prolific disco group in Colombia for six years, granting her access to performances with some of the most well-respected artists in Latin America.

Virgi is excited to bring her professionalism, talent, and commanding stage presence to her newfound home in Colorado and in venues across the US. She looks forward to continuing to honor her influences of pop-rock/Latin music while delivering memorable performances for her crowds. Virgi recently released her first album, a versatile EP with 6 songs where the audience will be delighted with pop music, cumbia, bachata and electro-pop as well as a beautiful ballad with a symphonic orchestra.

She is currently working on the recording of her second album, she is also releasing music videos and performing throughout the US, Mexico and Colombia.

King Isis

Underground Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 5:40-6:15 PM

Born and raised in the cultural hub of Oakland, CA, King Isis shifts shapes and fuses sounds ranging from rock and R&B to jazz and blues, sweeping through pain, growth, and transformation.

Music has been in King Isis' blood for generations. They were taught on the piano of their great-great-grandmother Omega King, one of the first Black opera singers in Chicago. King Isis’ artist moniker pays reverence to Omega’s legacy of pursuing her passion of art and creation in segregated, post-slavery America. “Her name holds a lot of power in my house and in my family,” Isis reflects, “A big part of the reason my artist name incorporates hers is to remind me that there is power in my voice, that music has always been a deep-rooted part of me, and to keep going.”

Ogi

Underground Stage | Saturday, July 29th | 9:00-9:40 PM

Our voices indicate how we feel. Joy, sadness, trepidation, and truth filter through the tone and timbre. For as pensive and reserved as Ogi may be in everyday life, the Los Angeles-based Nigerian American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist speaks her mind when she sings. After captivating audiences on social media and earning the endorsement and support of iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning producer No I.D. [JAY-Z, John Mayer, Kanye West], she expresses who she is through every note on a series of singles and her 2022 debut.

UMS Impact Days Is Upon Us!

We have been covering The Underground Music Showcase for many years now and one of our favorite things to see is how the festival has evolved over the years. With a huge emphasis on community, a staple through the years, the festival has introduced a few notable additions to the three day weekend.

Impact Days 2023 tickets are on sale now! If you're a musician or in the music industry, this two-day series of workshops at The Underground Music Showcase is for you. If skill-sharing workshops, professional development, networking with your fellow musicians, and coaching for the next phase of your career sounds like something you need, Impact Days is for you. Workshop topics will include finding/procuring funding for artists, securing radio airplay, utilizing AI for artists, and more! $30 for two days of workshops! Plus, if you bring a friend, we’re offering a buddy pass ticket (two tickets for the price of one, discount automatically applied at checkout) Get your tickets at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com/impact-days

The 2023 Underground Music Showcase Lineup Announcement

The lineup for this years Underground Music Showcase has arrived. The annual gathering of music is set to take place once again along South Broadway to the tune of some of the best local and national acts. Our favorite weekend of the year boasts headliners Jamila Woods, Emmit Fenn, Crumb and more. Tickets are available now by clicking link below.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Our Favorite Moments and Things You Missed From The 2022 Underground Music Showcase

Crowds gather around the Underground Stage during The UMS (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

UMS weekend came and went, and our biggest complaint? Three days of the Underground Music Showcase was not enough for us! Denverites came out in droves to South Broadway for this year’s UMS despite the August heat. 

This year’s UMS saw some growing pains, and some venues experienced long lines managed by stressed bouncers trying to keep under capacity. The festival’s growth has continued to fulfill the mission of its founders: giving local bands their deserved visibility. Friday and Saturday night were particularly fraught as South Broadway buckled under the traffic of thousands vying to get inside the small, packed venues. 

The Underground Music Showcase was founded back in 2001 as a single day festival to promote and support budding Denver artists, and to showcase the talented musicians that make our city unique. Since 2001, UMS has grown into a three-day affair that balances local acts with nationally recognized headliners. The beauty of UMS is that while you might be drawn to the festival by a band you’re listening to on a daily basis, you’re subsequently drawn into a small, intimate venue by the sound of some local act that quickly becomes a staple in your daily rotation. 

Packed crowds spilled over to the club venues each night during The UMS (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

The original ethos of the festival is alive and well, but as it grows in size and popularity, we’re curious to see if South Broadway will still be capable of hosting its favorite. 

Some venues allowed wristband-clad folks entrance to acts they had expected to draw smaller crowds. This unfortunately contributed to the capacity issue, as lines were nearing thirty to forty five minute waits at various open door venues. Requiring wristbands for all venues participating in UMS during the festival might streamline things. 

But on the other hand– who doesn’t love the egalitarianism of free things? The price of admission could be a limiting factor for some. Venues which took an open door approach feel aligned with the festival’s ethos, and it’s arguably more fair anyway, allowing those who might not be able to afford a full ticket to still attend some shows. 

Anyway, we’re going to break down our stand-out local acts before getting into our favorite headliners. 

Audrey Nuna headlines the first night of this year’s The Undergorund Music Showcase. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Friday:

The annual Denver independent music mainstay returned to South Broadway, where more than 150 artists descended on 14 venues from Friday through Sunday. And just as complimentary as the brewski-soaked Bud Bronson Skylark set, new festival co-owners Youth on Record provided sober activation spaces throughout the weekend, including an Artist Care Lounge at Chaos Bloom Theater, as an alcohol-free alternative that didn’t lose its edge. 

Levi Double U gave us two doses of dance vibes. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Levi Double U

Producer for breakout Denver acts Neoma and Adiel Mitchell, Levi Double U is a force in his own right. And though the free donuts may have been the lure, it was the tasty house music of his outdoor Friday set at northernmost outpost Banded Oak Brewing that got festgoers kicking off the night at 128 bpm. 

Cheap Perfume put on one of favorite sets of the weekend. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Cheap Perfume

“Just be mindful … of everyone’s space around them,” Cheap Perfume’s Stephanie Byrne reminded the crowd at HQ before launching into the next song of the feminist punk band’s intense and unrelenting set. From fan favorite “It’s Okay to Punch Nazis” to guitarist Jane No’ scorching implore to burn it all down on “Put the Devil to Bed,” it was a fitting powderkeg of a  throwback to the space of 60 South Broadway’s roots as legendary punk and metal venue 3 Kings Tavern. 

Plasma Canvas

Holy shit, self-styled “loudest band in the world” Plasma Canvas lives up to the billing. Exploding through tracks from Side One Dummy debut KILLERMAJESTIC (recorded/produced at The Blasting Room by punk rock royalty Bill Stephenson), the Hi Dive shook from their fuzzed-out combo of Strung Out, Less Than Jake and a cinder block to the face. 

Green Druid

You can almost see the edges of the amps glowing like embers in a pipe during a Green Druid set. The Denver doom/stoner stalwarts dredged the transfixed audience through a reverb- and fuzz-soaked landscape that keeps breaking down even when you think it can’t break. Down. Any. Further. Weed not required - but it doesn’t hurt. 

Native Daughters

Surprise! Fresh off their Bluebird Theater headliner and recent Meow Wolf show, Native Daughters are officially back from the beyond. With two drum kits front and center, the Denver heavyweights pull no punches about what you’re about to get pummeled by. As surprise headliners to close down UMS Night One, they delivered with trademark precision and aggression… you know you’ve been to a Daughters show when you leave ears ringing, even after wearing earplugs. 

The Champs. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

BBGT

As an embrace to the next chapter of normalcy, UMS Night 1 felt like a kind of surrender. Only fitting, then, that the back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back*-to-back-to-back UMS champs implored the crowd to launch into their best Rick Nielsen, sore and soaring into a temporary orbit above the reimagined Skylark’s Bobcat (née Pool) Room to close out Friday:

“Mommy’s alright, Daddy’s alright, they just seem a little weird…”

In an extended outro that was more than a Cheap Trick, they barked back in staccato that “IT’S-ALL-ALRIGHT.” And though it indeed may not have been in the grander sense of the word, for one beautiful mess of a weekend, it was about to be.

Front row crowd for The Knocks (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Saturday:

Saturday’s lineup was jam-packed with some of our favorites. We had to strategize and make sure we caught glimpses of all their sets. Temperatures were high but so were all the acts that took up residency along South Broadway. Here are some of our favorites.

Kid Astronaut taking us to another planet. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Kid Astronaut

Jon Shockness has been a member of the Denver music scene for quite sometime now, honing his chops with Air Dubai back in the day, to being a featured on many projects among some of Denver’s best. Kid Astronaut is a culmination of years of hard work. The set was groovy, hyped, and a perfect way to get our day two started. A natural showman, Shockness tore through his set of introducing many to the future soul vibes that played out to his spaced themed moniker.

Ritmo Cascabel

A band we were anticipating the most was Ritmo Cascabel. Blending elements of cumbia and chicha, the music transports you to a tropical paradise, in this case the paradise was smack in the middle of South Broadway. Listening, all you want to do is dance. The band has a slew of shows coming up in the next months and we highly recommend catching their vibe.

The Knocks

New York part starters The Knocks proved worthy of their headlining set time on Saturday. The duo of James Patterson and Ben Ruttner unleashed their uncanny array of dance jams that has become synonymous with the band and their penchant for mixing genres such as disco, electronica, indie and more. Highlight of the night was their mashup of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” that erupted into a full on dance party in the Goodwill parking lot.

The Mañanas

The Mañanas drew a huge crowd to Skylark Lounge with a line trailing around the block. Their energy was infectious and their set was danceable and fun. The crowd was ready to reciprocate the good vibes during their Saturday night 10 p.m. slot, and we’re keeping our eyes on The Mañanas, excited for what’s up next for them.

Pink Fuzz

Pink Fuzz, the “high speed desert-rock” brain-child of The Velveteers’ Demi Demitro’s siblings John and Lulu drew a huge crowd at Hi-Dive. Pink Fuzz is clearly a local favorite. P.S., John Demitrio’s partner Ida, proprietor of local vintage clothing retail Ida and Moon, deserves a shout out as well. Check out her shop @Idaandmoon on Instagram for handmade leather goods and recycled western clothing. 

Flaural

Flaural remains a long-time Denver staple. Their complex, intricate layering and pedal work were evidence of a band that cares deeply about the music they’re making. Straying awaw from cheap tricks to motivate the crowd, Flaural played a studio-quality set at Hi-Dive right after Pink Fuzz on Saturday night. Both Flaural and Pink Fuzz played great sets despite the delay from Rahmakhandra, whose harpist struggled to load and unload their harp on Hi-Dive’s lofted stage and set back the schedule a bit.

Kaitlyn Williams

Kaitlyn Williams’ brought the energy to HQ on Sunday afternoon. The crowd sang along with Kaitlyn, whose stunning vocal riffs and pop-soul melodies made for a fantastic set. Her back-up singers and supporting band were a perfect complement to Kaitlyn, and the professionalism of their set felt both wholly authentic and finely tuned.

An all too familiar sign. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Sunday:

The beauty of UMS is that it strengthens our local music community and it brings musicians together. Geese, a New York based psych-rock-jam band, played without a drummer who evidently slammed his finger in a door in the days leading up to the festival. A friend of a friend of mine named Andrew jumped up on stage and volunteered to step in for the rest of the set. At the end of the set, the crowd was chanting Andrew’s name. Moments like this are what makes UMS distinct from other festivals: it’s a festival that, despite its growth in popularity, remains an event for and by Denver’s homegrown music community. 

By bringing together local musicians and nationally recognized acts, there’s an artistic leveling. Smaller acts perform on the same stage as the bands playing hits you’ve heard on the radio, and the core integral values that UMS was founded on remain intact twenty years later.

Crowds gather at the entrance to the The Underground Stage. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Taking Back Monday on A Sunday (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Taking Back Monday (UMS Edition)

Sunday we decided to head out early in hopes of reliving our inner Emo pasts. The crew from Taking Back Monday brought their party to The UMS and we are glad they did. Playing a mix of the music that defined our youth, the party had nerf guns, piñatas, super soakers and more. If you missed their set be sure to catch them this weekend at Colorado is for Lovers Fest at Levitt Pavilion.

Don Chicharon bringing the cambia vibes. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Don Chicharon

The latin vibes were alive and well during this years Underground Music Showcase as bands such as Neoma, Ritmo Cascabel, The Mañanas, Soy Celesté, DJ Polyphoni, Tres Leches, Bailey Elora, Jen Korte and The Loss, Los Mocochetes and Don Chicharon all graced us with their traditional sounds blending culture and music. Don Chicharon is no exception as the band encompasses vibrant sounds blended with a dose of afro-cumbia that makes us dance as we were filming a Tic-Tok video. Their mid-day set was enough to make it one of our favorites and we highly suggest catching them at their next show.

Bully takes the stage at The Underground Music Showcase. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Bully

Bully also known as Alicia Bognanno has been around for awhile now (surprisingly only her second time performing in Denver). We discovered Bully at SXSW a few years back at a small venue on Rainey Street and instantly fell in love. The love affair got lost during the years but was rekindled when their latest album SUGAREGG dropped, we were once agin reminded of why we fell in love. A culmination of all the hard work put in over the years the album played out live just as we expected. Denver hopes we can see the band again soon and we will be waiting with open arms.

Fay Webster had us catching feelings. (Phot Credit: Robert Castro)

Faye Webster

A perfect Sunday night set the vibe for one of the festivals closing sets. Faye Webster’s emotionally charged set brought about an eerie vibe to close out the 2022 rendition of The Underground Music Showcase. A blue-moody stage complimented her style as she tore through her hour plus set with her penchant for delivering her customary delicate well thought out lyrics and emotional undertones that brought random moments of silence to those witnessing her set. A perfect way to end a crazy three days of amazing music.

Until next year UMS…….

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos: Aly McClaran

Photo Credit: Robert Castro

Photo Credit: Robert Castro

Words: Robert Castro, Kendall Morris, and Cory Phare.

UMS 2022 Lineup and Our Must See Acts

The Underground Music Showcase is scheduled to take over South Broadway again this summer, July 29-31st, and we’re going to give you our UMS Top Eight. But before we dive into our Top Eight, we’re going to give you a little background information on the festival–just in case this is your first Underground Music Showcase. 

UMS is Denver’s annual three-day long music festival. Thousands of music lovers shut-down South Broadway and the surrounding Baker neighborhood for back-to-back acts on the main stages and inside local restaurants and venues. UMS was first minted back in 2001 as a single day festival to showcase local, underground artists, and to up their visibility on the Denver scene. In recent years, UMS has pulled headliners with national recognition (i.e. Shannon & the Clams and The Allah-Lahs in 2021), but they have continued to strike a balance by hosting both local, lesser-known acts and headlining well-established bands.

This year the festival will be co-hosted by local non-profit Youth on Record, a Denver-based nonprofit, who has joined Two Parts, a Denver-based entertainment company, to lead the Underground Music Showcase (UMS), the largest, multi-day music festival in Denver. As co-owners, Two Parts and Youth on Record will focus the UMS on Artistic Excellence, Community Impact, and Economic Sustainability, with a commitment to advancing opportunities for historically marginalized artists.


"By partnering with an organization with such deep roots and the full faith of the community, we gain the firepower to mobilize the community in new ways," says Berry, who led Two Parts' purchase of the festival from the Denver Post Community Foundation in 2018. "There's so much Two Parts and Youth on Record can do to build on each partner's existing programming and relationships to support artists and build the next generation of performers to carry the torch."

It’s safe to say that UMS is our favorite weekend of the year, and we’re stoked to see you there. Tickets can be purchased here.

BULLY

Hailing from Nashville Tennessee and recently signed with Sub-Pop Records, post-punk BULLY’s sound is reminiscent of Sleater-Kinney and Speedy Ortiz. 

JAWNY

Philadelphia-based JAWNY’s fun, funky and danceable hits are not to be missed.

Sun Room 

Sun Room brings solid surf rock in the vein of Mystic Braves, Levitation Room and the like. 

Slow Caves 

We first interviewed Denver-based Slow Caves back in 2017, and we’ve been watching their sets in Denver since 2016. With an obvious influence of 2000’s indie-rock and relatable, fresh lyricism, Slow Caves is a local staple.

Anthony Ruptak 

Ruptak is a Denver based singer songwriter. Ruptak writes and composes solo, and his lyrics stand out for their raw relatability:  “documents from the IRS/ and a silver can of gas/ I feel like such a fucking mess/ I should go out running”. Fans of Death Cab For Cutie and Sufjan Stevens, don’t miss Ruptak’s set.

 

Audrey Nuna 

Audrey Nuna is a hands-down must see. Nuna combines rap, R&B, trap pop, and rock. Her punctuated rap contrasts at times with her sparse, Moses Sumney-esque vocals. Her range is incredible, and she’s sure to bring the heat during her set at this year’s UMS.

The Mañanas

Local indie-pop group The Mañanas reminds us of bands like The Walters and Vacations. Their light-hearted, listenable, and fun sound brings an easy, summery vibe. 

Bailey Elora 

Last but not least, be sure to see local singer-songwriter, Bailey Elora. Elora is a platinum ambassador with local nonprofit and UMS partner Youth on Record and Elora has been playing shows around the Denver area for a few years now, and we’re excited to see her take the stage during this year’s UMS. 

Written by Kendall Morris

Youth on Record joins Two Parts to lead Underground Music Showcase

Under a new joint venture agreement, Youth on Record, a Denver-based nonprofit, has joined Two Parts, a Denver-based entertainment company, to lead the Underground Music Showcase (UMS), the largest, multi-day music festival in Denver. As co-owners, Two Parts and Youth on Record will focus the UMS on Artistic Excellence, Community Impact, and Economic Sustainability, with a commitment to advancing opportunities for historically marginalized artists.

Two Parts Founder Casey Berry and Youth on Record Executive Director Jami Duffy will serve as co-managers of UMS LLC, a new Colorado limited liability company. Berry and Duffy will share oversight of the festival's vision, values, programming, operations, and finances.

"By partnering with an organization with such deep roots and the full faith of the community, we gain the firepower to mobilize the community in new ways," says Berry, who led Two Parts' purchase of the festival from the Denver Post Community Foundation in 2018. "There's so much Two Parts and Youth on Record can do to build on each partner's existing programming and relationships to support artists and build the next generation of performers to carry the torch."

Duffy sees the Two Parts/Youth on Record partnership as a model for how nonprofits and music festivals can co-create just and sustainable sources of support while driving impact.

“Everyone keeps talking about new ways of doing things, post-COVID. For Youth on Record, co-owning and co-leading the UMS is a new approach to fulfilling our mission, earning revenue, and reaching more artists and community members," says Duffy. "The work of the UMS is aligned with our mission, making it not only a smart investment, but one that can have a big impact."

Duffy and Berry are betting on a bold idea that music festivals with a mission will have more staying-power – and ultimately generate more revenue. They hope foundations, philanthropists, Colorado Creative Industries, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities Districts (SCFD), and government agencies will take note of this community-centered approach.

New mission-driven elements include increases in payments to performing artists (starting at $200 per artist and $400 per band) and deeper diversity among performers, sober bars and other resources for artists who struggle with substance misuse, opportunities to support young and emerging creatives, and an Impact Show focused on providing mental health support resources to attendees. Impact Days, a two-day professional development opportunity for UMS performers, will be hosted and produced by Youth on Record. Future plans include a deeper focus on accessibility, internship and workforce pipelines, and outreach to introduce more Denver residents to the UMS.

"Music festivals have the unique power to bring huge groups of people together. Nothing else does this: not concerts, not art exhibitions, not conferences, not plays," says Michael Bracy, a Youth on Record advisor and national music policy expert. "The UMS is an incredible opportunity to reach, activate, connect with, and serve a large number of people, which is central to Youth on Record's strategy for innovation and change."

This year's UMS will take place from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31, drawing more than 10,000 music fans to Broadway/Baker neighborhoods. With performances by hundreds of bands composed of more than 600 artists, the festival will be true to its roots while integrating new energy and new community programs, says Berry.

"Attendees can expect the same spirit of discovery, community, creativity, and fun that has defined the UMS for two decades," he says. "The mile-long strip of South Broadway will once again transform into a bustling community gathering space for artists, creators, musicians, and fans who can look forward to everything they love about the UMS – and more."

The Two Parts/Youth on Record partnership began to take shape last August. Spurred by a $1M grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in June 2021, Duffy approached Berry to propose that Youth on Record come in as an owner of the UMS; the nonprofit served as the festival's charitable beneficiary for many years.

"We had the idea that if you center impact and introduce philanthropy to a music festival, you can create something really powerful," says Duffy, who brought the idea of buying into the UMS to the Youth on Record board soon after meeting Berry. "The pandemic made it clear that bold moves are necessary to drive change in our world. Youth on Record has always had a spirit of innovation and taking risks, so we were up for the challenge.”

Unlike most traditional music festivals, which measure success by financial performance alone (which struggle to make it, and often don't), the UMS will measure along a triple-impact bottom line of Artistic Excellence, Community Impact, and Economic Sustainability. Duffy and Berry intend to raise $200,000 from donations, foundation grants, and other philanthropic sources to cover increases in programming expenses not covered by ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, merchandise, and concessions.

“Youth on Record staff, board members, and volunteers used to sling beer at the festival; now the organization is a co-owner, which gives us a real seat at the table,” says Duffy, noting that the venture was unanimously approved by Youth on Record's Board of Directors. “It’s a risk, like any business opportunity. But it’s one worth taking.”

“With our powers combined, Two Parts and Youth on Record are excited to push the festival into new, interesting, and community-focused directions,” says Berry. “UMS has always been Denver’s festival, and we can’t wait to continue building it for our city.”

The UMS was founded by Denver Post journalists John Moore and Ricardo Baca in 2001.

Tickets to the UMS are on sale now. A portion of all sales will benefit Youth on Record.

For more information, visit Youth on Record's website.