The Denver-based, ADA-inclusive Shine Music Festival is returning for its third edition on Saturday, August 26 at Reelworks Denver.
The non-profit festival - which will follow its successful 2022 event in Civic Center Park - will unite people of all abilities and backgrounds for a transformative live music experience.
As opposed to typical music festivals which relegate ADA attendees to barricaded-off sections, Shine Music Festival welcomes ADA patrons and able-bodied fans to intermingle fluidly and collectively.
By innovatively blending traditional festival structures alongside comprehensive accessibility measures and state-of-the-art adaptive technology, Shine Music Festival will offer a truly universal space where everyone can cohesively revel in the healing power of music together.
Headlining Shine Music Festival 2023 is Denver-based jamtronica trio SunSquabi, as well as Neal Evans Fro Down - a rotating musical supergroup led by Dopapod-drummer Neal Evans, with this edition featuring Thievery Corporation-bassist Dan Africano, bassist Felix Pastorius (son of jazz bassist legend Jaco Pastorius), British-pianist Harry Waters (son of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters), guitarist Enmanuel Alexander, saxophonist Nick Gerlach, and vibraphonist/percussionist Greg Harris.
The indoor/outdoor festival will boast a plethora of adaptive features and safety measures (rarely employed by other event organizers) that allow ADA attendees to groove alongside their able-bodied counterparts. Shine Music Festival will feature a bone conduction, vibrotactile dancefloor from Feel The Beat, which allows users to feel sound through vibrational energy. The festival will also provide closed-captioning glasses from Xrai Glass, which allow deaf or hard of hearing guests to see subtitles from anywhere across the venue. Another inclusive offering will be the Full Body Sound devices, which translate music from the soundboard into tactile audio stimulations. The Sensory Club will additionally implement sensory zones for neurodivergent guests prone to overstimulation. Uniquely, Shine Music Festival is proud to be the first and only music festival with braille merchandise.
Shine Music Festival is a donation-optional event, ensuring that anyone can attend - regardless of financial constraints.
“65% of people with disabilities are unemployed due to government and social factors beyond their control. So our Universally Designed Festival offers optional donation ticketing, bridging the gap between accessibility and inclusion. By embracing this inclusive approach, we empower everyone to enjoy the magic of music, while your generous donations drive change for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they're not held back by outdated policies and misconceptions.” - Shawn Satterfield, Shine Music Festival founder/president.
Shine Music Festival will also feature a bevy of community partners such as Healing With Harmony, which enlists therapists who provide music-related activities that create a soothing oasis for rejuvenation and emotional well-being.
After the main event concludes, Shine Music will host a special afterparty in the same venue from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m., featuring acts such as enigmatic melodic house artist Tantok and Since JulEYE, the collaborative project between DJ/producer Lev Averbackh and veteran keyboardist Todd Stoops (RAQ, Kung-Fu). The afterhours lineup also includes DJs such as Zac Black, Hollows, and Codes.
While Shine Music Festival is donation-optional,100% of proceeds will go towards continuing Shine Music's mission to make live music accessible for all.
Both free and donation-based tickets are available now
Shine Music Festival lineup
Main Stage:
SunSquabi
Neal Evans Fro Down featuring: Neal Evans (Dopapod), Dan Africano (Thievery Corporation), Felix Pastorius, Harry Waters, Enmanual Alexander, Nick Gerlach, Greg Harris (Vibe Quintet)
BKellZ
Desacore
Green Chi
Jeffrey Marshall
Walden
Dooley
Tropical Waffle
Acoustic Avenue (outside)
KrYmsun
Josh.0
Wanderin Pine
Jonny Woods
Willy K
Rocky Mountain Guy & Joe Bye Duo
Grant Livingston & Ben Maillaro (River Spell)
Shauna Sweeney
Cory Simmons
Shine Music Festival AfterHours
Tantok
Since JulEYE x Todd Stoops
Zac Black
Hollows
Codes
