Denver's beloved indie music festival, The UMS, is rising from the ashes, but with a fresh location and a new financial partner. The festival, previously held along South Broadway in the Baker neighborhood, will now take over the River North Art District (RiNo) for its revival. This move comes as a surprise to those who bid farewell to the festival last year, but it was never truly goodbye.
Keanan Stoner, owner of Two Parts marketing and production company, announced the festival's return on July 24-26, 2024, with a major new financial partner, the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID). The BID will purchase a 50% stake in the event, valued at $250,000, and provide an annual title sponsorship of $250,000 for the next three years, contributing a total of $1 million to the festival's estimated $1.4 million budget. This partnership not only ensures the festival's survival but also showcases the RiNo area's potential as an economic engine.
Terry Madeksza, executive director of the RiNo BID, emphasizes the festival's value beyond its artistic appeal. She highlights its potential to promote local businesses and cultural offerings while remaining affordable for fans and fair to artists and venues. The festival's return is expected to attract a wide range of public and private partners, from big promoters to independent businesses.
Two Parts has owned The UMS for several years, and last year's event was their final production with nonprofit partner Youth on Record (YOR), which owned a 30% stake. YOR's decision to divest was due to financial constraints, as the festival's costs proved too high to sustain. However, the festival is set to return with a similar format, welcoming an estimated 10,000 people per day and featuring hundreds of local and regional bands across multiple stages.
Past UMS Denver acts have included notable artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff (pre-Night Sweats), DeVotchKa, Dressy Bessy, and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, as well as acclaimed national headliners. The festival's move to RiNo is seen as a strategic decision, as the BID had already allocated funds for a 'signature event' in 2026, inspired by the UMS's 25-year legacy. This partnership aims to boost local businesses and cultural attractions in the northeast Denver area.
Stoner reveals that the festival's return was not a premeditated plan but a result of conversations with the RiNo BID. He expresses hope for a successful revival, despite the initial doubts. The festival's resurgence is a testament to the power of community support and the potential for cultural events to thrive with the right financial backing and partnership.
