80/35, the annual celebration of music and culture presented by the nonprofit Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), returns to downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park on July 7 and 8, 2023. The 14th edition of the festival will feature over forty acts across four stages, three of which are free, along with additional pop-up performances, visual arts, a nonprofit village, an immersive kids and family zone, local food and merchandise vendors, and much more.
Hailed as “the best American rock band of this decade” by The New Yorker, Philadelphia indie rockers The War on Drugs lead the first lineup announcement for 2023 alongside Big Boi, a legendary hip hop artist who rose to prominence as one half of the storied Atlanta duo OutKast and who has collaborated with the likes of Janelle Monáe, Ludacris, and many others. Similar to 2022, the 2023 festival will feature a diverse mix of bands from across the US and the world.
Spotify Playlist: https://spoti.fi/3uzWyAQ
Friday:
The War on Drugs
Sudan Archives
Deerhoof
Ric Wilson
Gustaf
House of Large Sizes
Elizabeth Moen
Tayls
Saturday:
Big Boi
Cautious Clay
Blu DeTiger
Thumpasaurus
William Elliott Whitmore
Etran de L’Aïr
Disq
McKinley Dixon
Ax and the Hatchetmen
Kiss the Tiger
Ancient Posse
Emma Butterworth
+ many more bands to be announced for both Friday and Saturday
“We are incredibly excited for the 2023 edition of the festival,” said Mickey Davis, Executive Director of the Des Moines Music Coalition and 80/35 Festival Director. “From storied rock bands to legendary hip hop to acts performing in the U.S. for the first time, we’ve put together what we think is a stellar lineup of music that is sure to offer something for everyone. After a successful return in 2022 after two years off due to the pandemic, we look forward to bringing the energy of Des Moines’ longest-running music festival back again in 2023.”
This year’s 80/35 incorporates 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. These changes include additional opportunities for youth performers and aspiring music professionals as well as a commitment to genre, demographic, and geographic diversity among the performers.
Additional performers, including over 30 Iowa bands, will be announced in early 2023.
About 80/35
As the signature event of the Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), 80/35 draws over 30,000 people to downtown Des Moines annually since 2008 to celebrate new music from Iowa and beyond. As a program of the nonprofit DMMC, 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 Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and collaborative movement committed to building a stronger and more diverse live music community in Greater Des Moines. Through our mission to support and cultivate Iowa’s music economy, our vision is to establish and maintain Des Moines as a nationally recognized music city. Learn more and become a DMMC member at http://desmoinesmc.com.
