The inaugural Elsewhere Fest and Conference, hosted by Midtopia, is set to take place on June 21-22 at various performance hubs throughout Wichita, Kansas. This highly anticipated event is a testament to the city's thriving music scene and its commitment to fostering a sense of community among creatives.
Midtopia, a creative nonprofit think tank for the independent music scene, has been dedicated to building and implementing new models of sustainability for the independent music ecosystem. The organization's goals are “artist and music worker self-actualization and reliance on the independent musical community.”
As Jessie Hartke, Midtopia's founder and director, explains, "This is something that a number of folks within the music community have been dreaming up for years. The idea was, 'How do we create an event that historically people would've thought of as happening elsewhere?'"
The festival's name is also inspired by the creative mind space that many creatives operate in, imagining and curating from any and everywhere. Elsewhere Fest and Conference strives to give back to the community while creating opportunities for musicians and visual artists to grow their audiences.
"We have so much talent and diversity in music so it's good that we get to share the spotlight," said rap artist Miss V of Wichita. "I look forward to gaining a new audience, meeting new people and hearing from the other artists."
The festival lineup features a diverse range of performances from national and regional artists. Headliners include Killer Mike, Vince Staples, Lane 8 and Steve Aoki. Plus, a slew of local talent including 2LØT, Chris Barnett, Cash Hollistah, Jet Lattimore, Marrice Anthony, Miss V, Paris Jane and more will take the stage. Attendees can expect an unforgettable experience, with performances spreading across five venues including Wave, Nortons Brewing Co. and Naftzger Park.
"We're so used to having to travel to see shows of this magnitude but now we finally get a chance at a national audience," said James “DJ Carbon” Bobetsky. "Wichita needs to show up and show out if they want to keep seeing events like this happen here."
DJ Carbon will spin music at Naftzger Park on both days. As he sees it, the success of Elsewhere Fest and Conference has the potential to pave the way for even more diverse and exciting events to come to Wichita in the future, and he hopes the city will capitalize on this momentum.
"Between the national and regional artists, there's something for everyone," says DJ Carbon, who curated a Spotify playlist showcasing some of the talented regional artists set to take the stage at Elsewhere.
See the full Elsewhere Fest performance schedule for Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22.
Elsewhere Conference
Conference programming covers topics intended for music workers and artists to grow their expertise and expand their tool set. Topics covered include growing an online audience, keeping one's mental health in check, different routes artists can take once they've recorded their music, utilizing a platform for social change, touring essentials and more.
Alongside the panels, there will be a sit-down with Killer Mike. There'll also be two workshops for attendees to get hands-on experience in building a partnership proposal as well as putting together a bio and press kit for artists. Attendees will also have the chance to attend speed meetings where they are matched with other music community members in a curated setting.
“As a not-for-profit music event, Elsewhere is reimagining the accessibility of conferences and festivals, both for those attending and those performing,” Hartke says. “We're excited to welcome everyone to Wichita and show off all that this wonderful city has to offer.”
Tickets to Elsewhere
Ticket tiers are available for both the festival and conference, ranging from general admission one-day passes to VIP packages and conference passes. With prices starting at just $25 for the conference pass, attendees can experience the full range of events without breaking the bank.
- GA One Day Pass - $59
- VIP One Day Pass - $119
- GA Two Day Pass - $99
- VIP Two Day Pass - $199
- Conference Pass (Two Day Only) - $25
Explore Wichita’s arts and entertainment scene and start planning your visit to the Heart of the Country.
