UMS 2018 Announces Venues and Three Outdoor Themed Stages
June 26, 2018
For its 19th Birthday, Denver’s best local festival is getting three new themed stages, as well as a relaunch with new corporate “parents.” In addition to returning (mercifully) to its original outdoor stage behind the Goodwill on Archer St. & Broadway, the 18th annual Underground Music Showcase (UMS) has added three themed outdoor stages to the three-day festival mix: the Sesh Stage, presented by Two Parts (who are also the festival’s new “parents”), the Imagination Stage, presented by 303 Magazine, and the Comedy Stage, presented by Illegal Pete’s.
And – good news for craft beer snobs (and those of us who also like good beer) – Denver’s popular Sesh Fest beer festival will be added to the UMS mix and expanded, occupying the Sesh Stage inside the Fentress Architects’ satellite lot just off of 4th Street and S. Broadway for all three days of the Showcase.
“Sesh Fest is one of our favorite events of the summer, and we’ve always dreamed of going bigger with the festival. When we took over UMS, it was a no-brainer to bring the festival into the fold as Sesh Stage,” said Casey Berry, founder of Two Parts, marketing and experiential event agency that recently bought the UMS, and also runs the Sesh Fest. “The beauty of Sesh Fest was that it was about hanging with friends and discovering new breweries — rather than nerding out over super-rare beer. We’ll carry this vibe into UMS with an area where guests can chill, imbibe with easily drinkable craft beers and discover incredible music in our summer oasis.”
New Stages for the 18th Annual UMS
The UMS and 303 Magazine will partner to produce both “The Underground” and the Imagination Stage. The Underground is a social app that will alert attendees about surprise happenings around the UMS including surprise sets, giveaways, pop-up parties, and more. Attendees can sign up online to receive alerts throughout the UMS. The Imagination Stage, located between 3rd Avenue and 2nd Avenue at the Import Warehouse, will feature immersive art and music experiences (foreshadowing Meow Wolf, just a bit, maybe?).
Illegal Pete’s will be hosting the best in festival stand-up at the Comedy Stage, while indoor stages will reside in Moe’s Original BBQ, Banded Oak Brewing, Baere Brewing Company, Punch Bowl Social, The Hornet, Blue Ice Lounge, South Broadway Christian Church, Metropolis Coffee, Sputnik, Hi-Dive, The Irish Rover, 3 Kings, Ross-Broadway Branch Library, Skylark Lounge, Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub and The Denver Distillery.
Look Here Thursday, June 28, for the Full Lineup!
More than 175 acts have been announced for the 18th annual UMS, and the final lineup will be announced this Thursday, June 28th, at 10:00 a.m. – so check back here on DenverThread.com to get your first glimpse. As we do every year, we’ll also be featuring our hour-by-hour lineup recommendations for each of the three days, too – to help you plan a festival you won’t soon forget!
Get weekend passes – which include general admission access to any show, any stage, all weekend long – for $75, or save additional money by purchasing a weekend pass four-pack for your entourage for just $200 (while it may be early for math, that saves each of you $25! Good for a few beers, no doubt). Single-day passes will be available for $40. Buy yours online today!
