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80/35 Music Festival

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Our 5th birthday celebration will go down in history as the birthday blow out of the year! The balloons have deflated and the cake is melted, but the music will live on in our memories forever. We're already planning for an even sweeter 80/35 next year on Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6, 2013. Go ahead and request off work, invite your out-of-town friends, and put big circles on your calendars. 80/35 2013 is set and we're ready!

About

How did 80/35 begin? ?Less than a decade ago downtown Des Moines was almost lifeless. Few promoters booked shows. Small venues had poor turnout. And acts simply passed by on the way to Chicago or Minneapolis.

In 2004, the non-profit Greater Des Moines Music Coalition was founded with the goal of creating a live music economy and reenergizing the city. The centerpiece? A major urban music festival.

In its inaugural year, 2008, 80/35 placed Des Moines solidly on the national music map as a progressive force with headliners The Flaming Lips and The Roots. Since then, iconic acts including Public Enemy, Black Francis, Ben Harper, Jakob Dylan, Girl Talk, Modest Mouse, Spoon, Galactic and dozens more have rocked the city.

Now, more than 30,000 music fans flock to Des Moines each year for 80/35 from places as far away as Hawaii, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Mexico to rock with legendary acts on the main stage and to discover up-and-coming local/regional acts on frenetic free stages.

Now downtown bustles with teens, young professionals and couples enjoying live shows. National acts are booked regularly. Regional acts stop to play. Venues have popped up. And local bands are touring Europe.

80/35 is more than a music festival. It's a rally to celebrate the resurgence of creative inspiration in our city.

What's 80/35 like?? 80/35 is turning 5 this year and you're invited to the sonic celebration. 80/35 2012 promises to be the ultimate birthday bash featuring neatly-wrapped national acts, noise-making regional performers and sweet Iowa favorites. Decidedly urban with a progressive party atmosphere, 80/35 stages are set in the streets while brilliant beats bounce off buildings. The fifth annual 80/35 is set for Friday, July 6 and Saturday July 7, 2012 in Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, IA.

Beyond a wild weekend of music, 80/35 unleashes the happy birthday kid in all of us with interactive art activities, DIY booths, meet & greet tents, a kids' play zone and more. And music fans can savor and devour the best food and drinks from right here in Iowa.

Where is it? ?80/35 is in the heart of downtown Des Moines, IA, specifically, Western Gateway Park at 12th and Locust.

Although the park is in the city, you'll find plenty of green space for walking, relaxing or just sitting and enjoying the show.

The perfect setting for a progressive feel-good fest, 80/35 is a few blocks from the famous restaurants and bars in the Court Avenue District and just down the street from the friendly art galleries and neighborhood pubs on Ingersoll Ave.

What types of music? ?More than 40 tantalizing acts on multiple stages enchant crowds with sonic sweetness. Music lovers will put on their party hats and unwrap unforgettable performances from indie headliners and hip-hop acts to alt-country and funky fun bands. 80/35 is made for music fans of all ages and genres. And, as a bonus, much of the melodious music is absolutely free, including regional and local acts.

What's with the name?? 80/35 is the famous junction of two prominent interstates (I-80 and I-35) that meet at the corners of Des Moines. Locals call it eighty-thirty-five. We figured it's the perfect name for a fest that brings together a variety of music genres, musicians and people.



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