80/35 Festival 2012 Recap

Click here for photos of festival sights from 2012 80/35 Festival in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery

80/35 Festival took over downtown Des Moines for two days of music and art on Saturday & Sunday, July 6th and 7th, 2012. There were a variety of bands and most were local to the Central Iowa scene. There were many food and art booths along the Nationwide Insurance buildings. The main stage was set up on the grounds of the Des Moines Downtown Public Library. The Kum and Go and Hy-Vee Triathlon stages were set up on opposite ends of the two blocks the Nationwide Insurance buildings.

Heat was a factor, but it is always a factor in Iowa. Anyone that has lived here over a summer will know that they will have to sweat it out if they want to go outside and have fun. Many people came out in the heat and attendance over the two days was approximately 17,000.

If you wanted to hear bands with acoustic guitars, banjos and washboards then you were in luck. Folk/Americana bands seemed to be in abundance. That’s not really my type but the crowds seemed to be really happy with bands like DumpTruck Butterlips and Useful Jenkins.

drive! I was surprised at how much dancing was going on at 80/35! Little Ruckus had street drums, dancing, sweat power and testicles all going on at the same time. Ladysoal, Leslie and the LY’s and Dan Deacon all also had generous amounts of boogying.

Several band members made extra appearances. I don’t know if there is a shortage of bands in Iowa, but throughout 80/35 you could see one band member playing one instrument in one band and then popping up on stage the littlest 80/35er with another band a little while later. After the sets the performers wandered around in the crowds. If you wanted to chat them up they were happy to listen. The performers seemed to be having as good a time as the ticket holders.

One of the good things about a music festival is the variety of bands to check out. The 2012 80/35 lineup seemed a little heavy on the folk/Americana/acoustic guitar side but the audience was happy and that’s what matters. I like a little more rock for my music. Either way I will be there again in 2013.