Underground Music Showcase | Youth on Record

For 25 years, the Underground Music Showcase has been more than just a festival—it’s been the heartbeat of Colorado’s music scene.

From its gritty, grassroots beginnings to becoming the state’s largest and longest-running music festival, UMS has been the stage where local legends are born, careers are launched, and legacies are built.

In 2022, Youth on Record (YOR) joined Two Parts as co-owners of the Underground Music Showcase. Through this innovative, first-of-its-kind joint ownership venture, UMS transformed into a music festival on a mission – prioritizing artist care and wellness, sober spaces, public safety, career pathways for emerging artists, and accessibility.

In 2025, it was announced that the 25th Anniversary of UMS would be the final one in its current form. You can read Youth on Record’s statement about this decision here.

At Youth on Record, elevating impact - especially for young and emerging artists - is at the core of everything we do. Learn more about our impact-fueled approach with UMS in the reports below.

2025 Media Kit and Impact Summary

Check out the UMS Impact Report 2023

Check out the UMS Impact Report 2022

Learn more!

Artist Care and Wellness

Prioritizing the mental well-being of UMS artists is a core element of festival ethos. UMS provides a dedicated, sober space – the Artist Care Lounge – where artists can relax and connect. Wellness offerings are also built into the Get Loud Music Summit, a two-day artist conference hosted by Youth on Record alongside UMS, including yoga, acudetox, nutrition and vocal health panels, and a wellness resource fair.

Sober Spaces and Harm Reduction

UMS intentionally provides spaces for festgoers interested in a substance-free experience to enjoy the festival. We introduced sober bars, serving alcohol-free mocktails, in 2022, which have continued each year. We have also partnered with DDPHE and Keep the Party Safe to train the UMS staff to address fentanyl overdoses ahead of festival weekend.

Accessibility

In 2023, UMS launched a comprehensive accessibility plan to improve how musicians and attendees with disabilities experience every aspect of the festival, from the website and app to stages, venues, vendors, and participating businesses. The festival welcomed two artists with disabilities onto its team in accordance with its inclusivity mission of “nothing about us without us” –Jessica Wallach, an artist and long-time disability and accessibility advocate, and Kalyn Heffernan, activist, educator, and emcee of Wheelchair Sports Camp.

Career Pathways for Emerging Artists

UMS is committed to thriving wages. Not only are our artists paid fairly, they also receive a slew of benefits ($1,000+ value) including: guest wristbands, mental wellness care packages, and professional development.

All UMS artists are invited to attend the Get Loud Music Summit for free. This two-day conference provides artists with knowledge-sharing, networking opportunities, and masterclasses, developing individual artists and strengthening the music ecosystem.

Youth on Record Fellows are brought behind-the-scenes, working at the box office, merch table, and backstage - gaining firsthand experience of fest production. And the YOR Youth Media Team co-hosted artist interviews for Get Loud Radio Lounge with Indie 102.3 all weekend long.

2025 Spotlight: Get Loud for Good Party

The final day of UMS hit differently at the Get Loud For Good Party, free, open to all, and fueled by a mission to support Colorado's next gen! Presented by Youth on Record, this concert featured a stacked lineup of YOR students and legendary musicians who are creating real impact with their art.

Check out photos of this high-voltage performance from SPELLS, with current YOR participants joining them onstage!