It is more than fair to say that most music festivals across the board, especially headliners, feature artists that are usually male or male-dominant. One festival, however, has stretched themselves thin trying their hardest to book mainly female musicians and artists. The festival, aptly named 80/35 was one of the 45 international festivals that made a vow to book more women artists alongside Way Out West, BBC Proms, and The Great Escape.
80/35 is a July music festival located at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Some of their booked female artists include the powerful Kesha, the bad-ass Courtney Barnett, Phantogram, and many more. This festival also features the cheaper side of tickets as a two-day admission is only $75 with VIP only costing $195. Tickets are on sale now here
80/35 is organized by Des Moines Music Coalition and will happen rain or shine, so don’t miss your chance at a wonderful experience.
The name 80/35 is interesting as it is named after two interstates that intersect at Des Moines; the I-80 and the I-35 highways. The festival has around 7 stages and features local non-profits booths as well as interactive art, food, drink, merchandise, and resting places. Since 2008 80/35 has seen an annual average of 30,000 concert-goers with more than 45 acts in two days.
Some festivals, those that were not apart of the 45 festivals promise, like Coachella have went years without female headliners. Now though, it seems they have had a change of pace as last year’s Coachella featured Lady Gaga as a major headliner. This year’s Coachella will feature none other than the queen herself Beyonce.
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
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