The nonprofit 80/35 Music Festival announces today that the festival will move to Water Works Park for the 2024 edition, which will also mark the 15th anniversary of Des Moines’ longest running independent music festival and celebration of culture. The 2024 festival will take place July 12-13, 2024.
“We could not be more excited to be moving to one of Des Moines’ greatest assets in Water Works Park,” said Mickey Davis, 80/35 Festival Director. “From the 1,500 acres of natural space to the incredible performance stage at Lauridsen Amphitheater, Water Works Park combines what makes 80/35 so unique – an urban location accessible by multiple forms of transportation, activities for all ages, and room for multiple stages of music – with greater access to nature, more space for the festival to expand, and a chance to use the festival to highlight issues important to us including environmental consciousness and water quality in central Iowa.”
The 2024 edition will feature multiple stages of music, with a mix of free and ticketed entertainment in keeping with the festival’s long-standing tradition. In addition, 2024 will see an expanded retail market, more food vendors, a kids and family zone, and much more. Further details will be released in the coming months.
Since 2008, 80/35 has drawn over 25,000 people to downtown Des Moines, with over 500 acts, 5,000 volunteers, and 400,000 people participating in the festival since its inception. A program of the nonprofit Des Moines Music Coalition, proceeds from 80/35 are reinvested in the local music ecosystem through programs that work to build a stronger, more diverse music scene in Des Moines. These programs include youth music education; Music University, a professional development conference for aspiring musicians; local artist showcases such as GDP; and advocacy efforts to support issues important to the growth of the Des Moines music economy.
“The 80/35 Music Festival has played a significant role in helping establish Des Moines on the national music scene, that’s why we are so excited that the festival is coming to Water Works Park in 2024” said Sam Carrell, Executive Director of the Water Works Park Foundation. “Part of the Foundation’s mission is to provide a platform for other aligned organizations like DMMC to share their mission with the community. Our collaboration with the DMMC will both showcase local talent but also continue to grow Des Moines’ national reputation. Live music, and particularly the role 80/35 and DMMC has played in building that environment is an important contributor to our vibrant community and our quality of life.”
Recent iterations of 80/35 have incorporated changes based on the findings of the Des Moines Music Strategy, a comprehensive report detailing the economic health of the local music economy in Des Moines. DMMC is committed to directly paying over $400,000 to members of the local music economy through 80/35, with that money going to local musicians, stagehands, service providers, and music professionals who power the festival.
“The Des Moines Music Coalition and the 80/35 planning team believe strongly in two important values of 80/35,” said Mickey. “One, that we showcase diverse artists on stage and pay them living wages, and two, that we keep the festival as accessible as possible to our community by ensuring ticket prices remain affordable for the weekend. Moving the festival to Water Works Park will allow us to keep 80/35 open to all and to continue supporting acts from across the city, state, country, and world.”
