Boulder Roots Music Festival debuts with 180 bands, 15 stages
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This weekend marks the first-ever Boulder Roots Music Festival, a three-day event with artists performing across 15 unique stages throughout downtown Boulder.
Behind the scenes: The festival has a lineup of more than 180 bands and is being put on by Roots Music Project, a local nonprofit that helps give independent artists and musicians a voice.
The vibe: Rather than a gated event, the festival will operate like a musical takeover of downtown Boulder, with each act's performance being first-come, first-served.
- Bands will play more than a dozen locations, with everything from traditional venues, including Boulder Theater, to small shops, where attendees can peruse local wares while taking in the music.
- "This is a citywide immersion of music in alternative venues up and down Pearl Street," Dave Kennedy, executive director of Roots Music Project, told the Daily Camera. "We wanted to embrace that DIY ethic that believes you can have music anywhere."
If you go: The festival starts Friday and runs through Sunday, with tickets starting at $20 for late-night single shows and $80 for single-day passes.
- Multiday passes are also available at $123, along with $57 student passes.
- Headliners include: Andy Frasco & the U.N., North Mississippi All-Stars, Yonder Mountain String Band and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. Meanwhile, local acts such as Hazel Miller, Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille and Fruta Brutal, will perform.
- The acts will be spread across more than a dozen locations throughout downtown Boulder.
Other events this weekend, include:
🐕🦺 Ellie's Labrapalooza, Avery Brewing Company: In honor of the brewery's Ellie's Brown Ale, Avery is holding a Labrador meetup from 2 to 5pm Saturday.
- Expect local pet-related vendors, games and activities for the dogs and, of course, beer for the humans.
- The event is free, but attendees are asked to register.
🎣 Junior and Senior Fishing Derby, Walden Ponds Widlife Habitat: Participants need one person 65 or older and one 15 or younger. Prizes will be awarded to the team that catches the heaviest trout, the team with the largest age difference, and the first team to reach the fish catch limit.
- The event runs from 9am to noon Saturday. Attendees must bring their own fishing gear and must have a valid Colorado fishing license. The event is free, but registration is encouraged.