Wildermiss – one of the bands from this year’s UMS (from their Facebook page)
By Kori Hazel, 303 Magazine | It’s not a Denver summer without the Underground Music Showcase (UMS). The annual music festival which takes over a significant swath of South Broadway in a blur of bands and booze is a 20-year long Denver tradition that is integral to our city’s music scene. However, in light of the novel coronavirus, Two Parts (the organizers behind UMS) had to get creative in making sure the show goes on as scheduled. Today, Two Parts has announced the details of the return of the Underground Music Showcase, but this time, in a virtual format dubbed, “UMSomething” going down on July 25.
The revamped festival will be equal parts music festival, variety show and retro telethon. Partnering up with Colorado Music Relief Fund, an organization focused on saving Denver’s vulnerable venues, musicians and music industry professionals amid COVID-19, “UMSomething” aims to capture the intoxicating energy that the massive music festival brings year after year.
“When we decided that we couldn’t host UMS as normal, we knew we still had to do something for Broadway and our musicians,” stated Casey Berry, owner of Two Parts and UMS producer. “This festival is so much more than just a wild weekend of live music for Denver. It’s a big moment for musicians, venues, bars and restaurants, and the back-of-house staff that make it possible each year. All these groups are hurting right now, so we wanted to give fundraising a shot and raise money for our community the only way UMS knows how – in a weird, gritty fundraiser variety show, live from Broadway. We’re producing a streamed broadcast that marries the safety of a digital experience with the fun of the real thing, including interactive elements, merchandise, delivered-to-your-door party packs, and more.”
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The”UMSomething” livestream will be hosted at http://www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com on Saturday, July 25 from 7 – 10 p.m. MT and the full UMS livestream lineup will be announced soon. The livestream is free to view but viewers are encouraged to donate in support of the Colorado Music Relief Fund.
Note: 303 Magazine is a media sponsor of UMS
Read the whole article here for more details, photos, and videos:
https://303magazine.com/2020/07/ums-virtual-2020/
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, raised in Denver, Colorado and educated at the University of Arizona, Kori is music industry zealot. Both a Staff Music Writer and Talent Buyer at 303 Magazine, music and entertainment is more than a job — it’s a lifestyle.
Kori is the messenger. Follow Kori on Instagram: @kovoho
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The 2020 Underground Music “Something” on July 25th – This Year’s Line-up:
Down Time / Float Like A Buffalo / Lily Fangz / Los Mocochetes / Neoma / Ramakhandra / The Milk Blossoms / The Still Tide / TheyCallHimAP / Turvy Organ / Wave Decay / Wes Watkins / Whitacre / Wildermiss / YaSi
Hosted by Christie Buchele and Nathan Lund, with music from DealzMakesBeats
Team UMS has been hanging at home, streaming jams, and waiting for news of normalcy. That news has failed to come, so we’re here to put our foot down (and possibly even in our mouth) about the future of UMS.
Underground Music Showcase as we know and love is out of the question for this year. We won’t be jeopardizing a single music lover’s health for a party. But we’re sure as hell not giving up on what we stand for. UMS is more than just a good time and a bad hangover. We support Broadway venues, artists, and a family that makes this festival come true. And we’re not going to shy away from that support when we all need it the most.
So we present to you: Underground Music Something. What’s that? We’re honestly not really sure and would certainly hate to spoil a good surprise. All we know is to mark your calendar for Saturday, July 25th as we set out to do two things: raise money, and rage safely.
Saturday, July 25th, we’re taking over your living room with our festival-meets-fundraiser. Tune in for live streams, music video premieres, artist interviews, comedy, and giveaways (we’re making it rain), all in the name of supporting the music industry via the Colorado Music Relief Fund.
But not so fast. You don’t want to be making a booze run half-way through the event… so get prepared for the evening ahead of time by pre-ordering a Party Pack, loaded with booze and swag, delivered right to your door!
Our mailing address is:
Underground Music Showcase
2400 Curtis St, Studio 6
Denver, CO 80205-2630
Be warned, we’ve been known to make it rain.