June 14-16, 2024!
Davis Music Fest is back and bringing 42 bands and performers to town for the city’s biggest weekend of live music Friday June 14 through Sunday June 16. Celebrating its twelfth year in production, the festival is once again presented by the all-volunteer Davis Live Music Collective with support from local venues, business partners, sponsors, performers, and you!
Founded in 2011, Davis Music Fest is a celebration of live music and community designed to kick off summer and bring music lovers together to enjoy a wide range of sounds as well as all the food, drink, and charm downtown Davis has to offer. Since its origin, DMF has been a celebration of local, regional, and nationally touring artists; a reason to gather as a community around art; and a fundraiser for art and music education in and beyond Davis.
The festival has grown from a one day event with a dozen bands on two stages to its current three days and nine stages showcasing dozens of artists from Seattle to LA. Festival organizers volunteer their time year-round to curate and promote the event as a widely accessible weekend of musical revelry and discovery, bringing back favorite alumni performers and introducing new artists across a variety of genres.
This year’s event welcomes back seasoned DMF veterans and crowd favorites Boca do Rio, Dog Party, Ten Foot Tiger, Big Sticky Mess, Misner & Smith, The Sam Chase & the Untraditional, The Philharmonik, and last year’s breakout rockers The Snares. We’re also proud to introduce new-to-DMF artists Orchestra Gold, Combo Tezeta, Reckling, Skating Polly, Anton Barbeau, Jarkhari Smith, Bon Bon Vivant, and many, many more. We’re also excited to welcome back an expanded stage area at Sudwerk on Friday, KDRT 95.7FM Listening Lyrics Live! recording artists in performance and conversation with radio hosts Pieter Pastoor and Doug Kelly on the Armadillo Music Stage Saturday, and an immersive psychedelic light show courtesy of Mad Alchemy Liquid Lights on The Odd Fellows Stage, also on Saturday.
Fans should also be on the lookout for plenty of artists with local connections like Sour Widows and Rainbow City Park, a special New Orleans Second Line set by Element Brass Band (please dance/walk along!), an all-day artist in residency with Sacramento jazz/soul/hip-hop virtuosos LabRats featuring multiple sets with some of our favorite local MCs, and the return of what promises to be a memorable and intimate stage at Davis Wine Bar.
We are also excited to welcome DMF Tiny Desk Youth Band Competition winner Interoception from Davis Senior High School. Catch them opening the action on the Delta of Venus Stage Saturday, June 15.
Davis Music Fest launches Friday, June 14 at Sudwerk Brewing Co. 4-10pm, with two stages, a not-to-be-missed lineup, award winning beer, and food selections from the Sudwerk kitchen and visiting food trucks. The party continues Saturday, June 15, 2:00 – 11:30pm on six stages in familiar spots throughout downtown Davis including Armadillo Music, Davis Wine Bar, the Pence Gallery courtyard, Odd Fellows Hall, Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, and Delta of Venus Cafe. As has become our custom, we’ve saved some of the best for last with a Father’s Day full of music, food, and fun on two stages at Delta of Venus Sunday, June 16, 12 – 6pm.
The weekend is made possible by the generous support of our Rockstar sponsors Armadillo Music, Berryessa Brewing Co., and Sudwerk Brewing Co., as well as financial and volunteer support of the Davis Live Music Collective. DMFXII is funded in part by Arts and Culture Grants from the Sacramento Foundation and the City of Davis. Additional support comes from Davis Odd Fellows Lodge, Dunloe Brewing, Super Owl Brewing, Running Rivers Wine Cellar, Ink Monkey, KDRT 95.7FM, and Stacie and Lucas Frerichs.
Kyle Monhollen, Executive Director Davis Music Fest / Davis Live Music Collective