Annual Davis Music Festival has it all

42 bands spread over three days with food, fun and frolicking

For my family, this is an annual can't-miss, don't-dare-be-doing-anything-else, cancel-all-other-plans kind of event. 

I'm talking about the Davis Music Fest, already legendary throughout the region in just its 12th year, which is an incredible accomplishment.

This immensely popular festival, which runs June 14-16 at a variety of Davis venues, is back for 2024 while bringing 42 bands and performers to town for our city's biggest weekend of live music.

Kyle Monhollen, Davis Music Fest executive director, introduces an act during last year's Festival. (ZoArt Photography)

You may have heard some of these sweet and sometimes loud sounds wafting through the summer air in previous years even if you didn't attend, so this would be a good year to secure a ticket and enjoy it all in person.

The festival has a number of moving parts, not to mention moving people, and is once again presented by the all-volunteer Davis Live Music Collective with support from local venues, business partners, sponsors, performers and, of course, music lovers everywhere.

As always, there will truly be something for everyone.

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 that downtown Davis has to offer. 

Now known among insiders simply as DMF, the Festival since its origin has been a celebration of local, regional, and nationally touring artists. It's also a great reason to gather as a community around art and music, and serves as 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 Southern California, from Baja to British Columbia. One group will be coming all the way from New Orleans.

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.

"A whole lot of people all doing different things have helped make this festival possible," said Kyle Monhollen, the Festival's executive director, who credited Davis' Danny Tomasello with getting the DMF started in 2011.

With a wide variety of musicians and types of music over three days, Monhollen noted, "If there's something that isn't for you, stick around for 45 minutes and it will be different."

One ticket gets you into all events for the entire three days. Tickets are $40 prior to the event at davismusicfest.com and $50 at the door when the Festival starts.

Gwendolyn Giles of Dog Party, which will be back again this year. (ZoArt Photography)

While the number of performers has pretty much reached capacity in recent years, attendance has increased dramatically each year as the Festival's reputation for quality and excellence has spread far and wide.

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. 

Festival organizers are 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.

(ZoArt Photography)

Also in the works for 2024 is an expanded stage area at Sudwerk on Friday, with KDRT 95.7 presenting Listening Lyrics Live, that is recording artists in performance and conversation with radio hosts Pieter Pastoor and Doug Kelly on the Armadillo Music Stage Saturday. Plus, 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, such as the Sour Widows and Rainbow City Park, a special New Orleans Second Line set by Element Brass Band (to dance or walk along), an all-day artist in residency with Sacramento jazz/soul/hip-hop virtuosos LabRats, featuring multiple sets with some favorite local MCs, and the return of what promises to be a memorable and intimate stage at the Davis Wine Bar.

(ZoArt Photography)

The Festival is excited to welcome the Tiny Desk Youth Band Competition winner Interoception from Davis Senior High School. You can catch them opening the action on the Delta of Venus Stage on Saturday, June 15.

Davis Music Fest launches Friday, June 14 at Sudwerk from 4-10 p.m., with two stages. It will be a not-to-be-missed lineup, along with award-winning beer and food selections from the Sudwerk kitchen and visiting food trucks.

The party continues Saturday, June 15, from 2-11:30 p.m. on six stages in familiar spots throughout downtown Davis, including Armadillo Music, the Davis Wine Bar, the Pence Gallery courtyard, Odd Fellows Hall, Sophia's Thai Kitchen and Delta of Venus Cafe.

As has become its custom, the Festival has saved some of its best for last with a Father’s Day full of music, food, and fun on two stages at Delta of Venus Sunday, June 16, from noon to 6 p.m.

This incredible weekend for music lovers everywhere is made possible by the generous support of rockstar sponsors , Berryessa Brewing Company and Sudwerk Brewing Company, as well as financial and volunteer support of the Davis Live Music Collective.

The Festival is funded in part by Armadillo Music, an Arts and Culture grants from the Sacramento Foundation, and the City of Davis.

Additional support comes from the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge, Dunloe Brewing, Super Owl Brewing, Running Rivers Wine

Cellar, Ink Monkey, KDRT 97.5 AM and Stacie and Lucas Frerichs.

In Davis, California on a warm summer weekend, you can do no better.

Reach me directly at bobdunning@thewaryone.com