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On Feb. 2, the Kacey Musgraves’ single “The Architect” won a Grammy for Best Country Song. On Aug. 9, she will headline the inaugural Up in the Sky Music Festival at the base of Buttermilk.
Musgraves’ Grammy earlier this month was the Texas native’s eighth one since she released her major label debut “Same Trailer Different Park” in 2013 (it won Grammy for Best Country Album).
Rüfüs Du Sol, an electronica, deep house, alternative dance band from Australia, will headline the first night of the festival on Friday, Aug. 8.The band is no stranger to Grammy-acceptance speeches either, having won Best Dance/Electronic Recording for their song “Alive” in 2023.
The lineup is rounded out by SG Lewis (Live), Suki Waterhouse and Glass Beams on Aug. 8 and Role Model, Nessa Barrett, Jensen McRae and Glass Animals on Aug. 9.
Up in the Sky is produced by Belly Up Concerts in partnership with C3 Presents, the Austin, Texas-based company that is Belly Up’s partner in The Palm Tree Festival that sold out in Aspen last weekend.
When asked what he thinks Up in The Sky Festival adds to the music landscape of Aspen, David Goldberg, partner at Belly Up Aspen, responded, “I think that (Up in the Sky) provides something new. That's what we’re certainly trying to do. I think that Aspen has so many amazing attributes to it in the arts and culture realm and we’re very honored to play a small part in a special scene. We’ve always been under the mentality of the more cool things that Aspen can provide, the better it is for the community.”
Up in the Sky is a single-stage event with festival grounds extending up the bunny hill and accommodating up to 16,000 attendees.
There was a great deal of speculation leading up to Tuesday's announcement regarding what kind of music genres the Goldbergs would bring to their new festival.
Based on the success of Palm Tree, it is not surprising there is a strong electronic component to the festival. It is significant to note, however, that there are no solo DJs performing and that all of the electronic acts — SG Lewis (Live) and nGlass Beams are live-performing acts.
The Goldbergs contrasted the electronic components with a major country star in Musgraves and several singer songwriter acts in Suki Waterhouse, Role Model, Nessa Barrett and Jensen Mcrae. Glass Animals, an indie-rock band from England, rounds out the lineup.
“We designed this to be multi-genre, there’s as much singer songwriter on this lineup than there is anything else,” Goldberg said. “I don’t ever want to be completely boxed in by one genre or another. Having country and live electronic and dance music, those things are starting to go hand in hand more than ever these days. Our focus is to curate to people who love live music.”
Goldberg said he was thrilled with his headlining acts.
“Rüfüs Du Sol is one of the hottest acts in the world,” Goldberg said. “They’ve sold out an entire tour, mostly on presales in major markets in major venues and stadiums. They put on a great show. We’re very fortunate to have them be a part of this, kicking off our first night.”
“It’s really special for us to have Kacey coming back to Aspen,” he continued. “We had sold out shows with her in 2014 and 2015 at Belly Up, and it’s been fun to see her rise from a very talented up and comer to the point where she is now selling multiple nights in arenas across the country with an incredible live show. It’s a real full circle thing for us. We are very fortunate to have her bookending the other side of the festival.”
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday at upintheskyfestival.com. Children 8 and under enter for free with a ticketed adult.
VIP Tickets include access to a dedicated VIP entrance lane into the festival, dedicated front-of-stage viewing area, unlimited access to VIP Village and Lounge with shade and seating in an indoor/outdoor environment and other amenities.
Kacey Musgraves, performing in September in Rosemont, Illinois, will play at the base of Buttermilk as the headline artist on the second day of the inaugural Up in the Sky Festival, Saturday, Aug. 9.
Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP
As they do for all of their ticketed outdoor shows, Belly Up will offer a 50% discounted Roaring Fork Valley presale beginning at 10 a.m. today. The discount will be valid for two-day general admission tickets for local residents until they’re gone. Tickets are will-call only and require proof of Roaring Fork Valley residency for pickup. Use password RFVSKY25 to unlock presale access at upintheskyfestival.com.
Goldberg said he is excited about the future of live music in Aspen.
“Aspen is truly one of the most extraordinary places in the world. I feel incredibly proud and humbled by what unfolded last weekend with Palm Tree Music Festival. Seeing the diverse range of music — both big and small — flowing through this valley is truly remarkable. This vibrant music culture is one of the things that makes Aspen so special. Contributing a new element to the scene with this festival is something we’ve been eager to bring to life."