The Underground Music Showcase (UMS), Colorado's premier music festival, is thrilled to return for its 24th year. This year, the fest plans to introduce a robust mental wellness initiative, an impressive enhancement to the festival’s mission-aligned achievements from previous years.
“UMS wants every artist and attendee to feel valued, supported, and empowered at the festival this year and that’s why we’re introducing some exciting new initiatives,” Danielle Lumpkin, UMS and Youth on Record Mental Health and Wellness Manager, said.
Danielle is a newly hired employee of Youth on Record, with support from the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, and the Caring for Denver Foundation. She is working to ensure that mental health and wellness programming is integrated into all UMS and YOR activities. Both UMS and YOR recognize that mental health is one of the most pressing issues of our time. And, UMS knows that bringing community resources to their “party” is one of the most effective strategies for meeting the needs of their community.
“I've witnessed firsthand how music positively influences the lives of artists and fans. Unfortunately, I've also witnessed struggles—depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse,” Lumpkin continued. “It's crucial to foster a culture where mental health struggles are openly embraced in the music community. We hope to create such a culture and provide resources for folks to thrive at the festival and beyond.”
Through powerful partnerships with Backline and Ardent Grove Foundation, the UMS will introduce strategic mental wellness care for festgoers including one-on-one support resources, wellness pop-up activations for artists, a collaborative art activation, mental wellness resources and affirmations on the UMS app, sober spaces and sober bars, and a community care campaign about how to “Be a Friendly Face in the Crowd.” The festival will also provide exclusive care for the over 700 performing musicians including opportunities to attend a mental health workshop and EMDR experience and distributed resources, wellness swag, and support messaging.
" UMS is more than just a music festival; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of our community and our commitment to fostering positive change," Jami Duffy, Co-Manager of the UMS said. "Our ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to our mission is what sets us apart. This year, we're re-committing to accessibility and community impact, and delivering mental wellness support for festival-goers and musicians alike."
July 26-28, the UMS promises a mile-long, unforgettable experience for music lovers, artists, and the broader community. With hundreds of acts set to perform on 4 outdoor stages and 12 venues along the Broadway business district, the festival offers an eclectic lineup that showcases the vibrant diversity of Colorado's music scene. This year’s headlining artists include Beach Fossils, Tkay Maidza, and Amyl and the Sniffers.
The UMS released its 2023 Impact Report this spring, highlighting mission-aligned achievements from the last festival including commitments to accessibility, harm reduction, artist care, and more. The Impact Report details some of the unique offerings of the UMS – including a two-day conference called “Impact Days” for official UMS artists and creatives that will reprise again this year. Additionally, the UMS celebrates new accolades, including a CBCA Award and Westword Editor's Choice for Best Music Festival for Local Bands.
While the soul of the festival remains unchanged, the UMS has an unparalleled ability to bring together both seasoned festival-goers and new Denverites. With a new partnership with the state of Wyoming and Visit Denver, the UMS is also poised to become not only the favorite homegrown festival but also the premier destination festival in the West.
"We're incredibly excited to see the UMS returning for its 24th year,” Casey Berry, Co-Manager of the UMS said. “The festival's ability to evolve while maintaining its essence is truly remarkable. It's a testament to the strength of the Colorado community and the enduring appeal of the UMS. As stewards of this beloved event, we're committed to ensuring its continued success and impact for years to come."
