Somewhere Festival & Conference, returning June 13–14, 2025, redefines what a music festival can mean. For a city, its people, and the industry it serves. Wichita isn’t just a stop on the map this summer—it’s the beating heart of a not-for-profit festival movement. What began last year as Elsewhere Festival has evolved. Today it’s a full-scale celebration of creativity, social change, and grassroots empowerment. Wichita is no longer “elsewhere”—it’s somewhere worth watching.
A Festival for Artists, Not Just Audiences
Unlike traditional festivals driven by commercial agendas, Somewhere operates not-for-profit, reinvesting into the very culture it helps cultivate. Founded by Movement Musick and powered by organizations like Midtopia, the festival exists to support underrepresented artists, empower local communities, and provide access to education and recovery services through music.
“The vision was never just to put on a show,” said Chase Koch, founder of Movement Musick. “It was about creating space for artists and music workers who weren’t finding support elsewhere.”
Headliners like Deadmau5, Suki Waterhouse, Flying Lotus, and BigXthaPlug grab attention, but they’re only part of the equation. The lineup—genre-agnostic and exploratory—invites fans into a journey of musical discovery. With artists like Kim Gordon, Aloe Blacc with 2ŁØT, Cassian, and Jerro, the stage becomes a space for boundary-pushing, not chart-chasing.
Where Art Meets Advocacy
What sets Somewhere Festival apart this 2025 isn’t just who performs—but why it exists. It doesn’t just entertain—it activates. The event integrates community-centered initiatives directly into the festival experience. From The Phoenix and Empower North End to Create Campaign and FIRE, attendees will find immersive social impact activations. It will touch on addiction recovery, mental health, education, and more.
Those who engage with these initiatives can earn exclusive festival swag through action, not just attendance. “This is about more than music—it’s about movement,” said Jessie Hartke, CEO of Midtopia. “We’re using music as a platform for discovery, healing, and growth—individually and collectively.”
This year’s Somewhere Conference elevates that mission further. Aloe Blacc will headline a fireside chat on artistry and activism. Panels and workshops will cover practical career skills and personal empowerment. Artists like Rudy Love Jr. will lead sessions on music and how to build sustainable careers that center community.
Somewhere Festival 2025: Built for Everyone, Not Just the Few
With the 2025 edition rolling out free concert stages, accessible ticket pricing, and a fierce commitment to inclusion, Somewhere Festival walks the talk. The festival grounds offer more than music: interactive murals, live graffiti, and hands-on art workshops bridge the gap between visual and sonic storytelling, curated in collaboration with Harvester Arts.
Even food becomes an experience. Wichita’s own culinary scene is spotlighted, with dozens of local vendors and creative activations like a Blind Taste Challenge and Foodie Photo Op to engage the senses and support local food entrepreneurs.
Somewhere is staking a claim—not just for Wichita’s cultural presence but for a new model of festival culture. One that prizes impact over image, community over clout, and collaboration over spectacle. For artists, it’s a workshop. Fans, a playground. And the city, a cultural reset.
“Somewhere Festival is more than a festival—it’s a movement,” said Rudy Love Jr. “It’s about giving artists tools, voice, and a community that actually shows up.” In a world where festivals often end with confetti and cash-outs, Somewhere Festival 2025 leaves behind something bigger: a lasting blueprint for change. Grab your tickets here.
