I’m NOT dreaming of a white Christmas. Sun and music are more my jam. Luckily, Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM) are working diligently to book marque acts and plan out next year’s three-day Ogden Music Festival scheduled for May 30-June 1, 2025. In the meantime, are you shopping for the perfect Christmas gift? Give your loved one an unforgettable musical adventure (it’s way better than some “thing” that’ll just end up collecting dust.) Holiday discount tickets are on sale now through January 1st. Three-day camping or single-day passes are available.
The Ogden Music Festival, it’s an intimate three days of music, camping, interactive workshops, and jam sessions with nationally touring artists. It’s big enough to draw top performers, but small enough for an immersive musical experience. Last year festivarians got to hang out and learn about songwriting from Sarah Jarosz and John Craigie. How cool is that?
Don’t let the “acoustic” moniker fool you. OFOAM brings in blues, funk, rock, folk, and Latin beats alongside bluegrass, newgrass, and string bands. It’s an inclusive celebration of Americana music and all its important influences. There’s something for everyone.
The OFOAM organizers have already shared a sneak peek of just some of the eclectic acts they’ve secured for this spring’s musical feast.
- Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. Stuart is a five-time Grammy winner, Country Music Hall of Famer, and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree. A musical legend whose style fits perfectly with the OFOAM goal of bringing us top-notch artists who bring a good-time vibe.
- Cimafunk is an emerging Afro-Cuban superstar. He explores the intersections of funk, hip-hop, and Afro-Caribbean music. He’s all set to add Ogden to his list of epic festival appearances including the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Lollapalooza, and Coachella.
- AJ Lee & Blue Summit is a troupe of musical virtuosi who play California Grass, a spirited blend of traditional bluegrass and West Coast hippy jams. Salt Lake magazine covered them in 2023 when they shook The State Room’s rafters! (Does the State Room have rafters?) See our post-show review of their stirring performance.
- Margo Cilker is a must-see artist who captivated fans at The State Room last year. Cilker has two award-winning full-length records to her credit and a growing catalog of great songs. If you’re a fan of Lucinda Williams, Eilen Jewell, or Nikki Lane then you’ll want to know Cilker’s music. Don’t miss catching her live. Here’s our review of her jaw-dropping SLC show. I’m thrilled to see her again!
- Sister Sadie is a wildfire. They combine raging hot bluegrass with breathtaking instrumental drive and awe-inspiring vocals. In 2024, this all-female ensemble took home the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Female Vocalist of the Year (Jaelee Roberts) and Fiddle Player of the Year (Deanie Richardson.) The group’s latest album No Fear has received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album.
- East Nash Grass is one of the hottest new bands in bluegrass and just picked up the IBMA award for Best New Artist. Of course, OFOAM booked them! That’s what they do.
- New Dangerfield is a recently-formed Black string band supergroup that brings together Afrofuturist fiddler Jake Blount with composer, songwriter, and old-time banjo player Kaia Kater alongside award-winning banjoist Tray Wellington and bassist Nelson Williams. New Dangerfield is on a mission to celebrate the Black string band tradition.
This is just a small sample of the dozens of performers on deck for 2025. The Ogden Music Festival is a personal favorite. Just a short drive or FrontRunner hop from SLC, the well-organized event always features an impressive line-up. I really love the chill vibe.
Stay tuned as the full lineup takes shape over the next few months. In the meantime, check out our review of last year’s festival.
- Who: Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM)
- What: Ogden Music Festival
- Where: Fort Buenaventura (Ogden)
- When: May 30, 2025- June 1, 2025
- Info and tickets: ofoam.org
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