DES MOINES, Iowa — The annual 80/35 Music Festival is facing an uncertain future after the organization behind the event announced it would end operations.
The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC) was founded in 2005 to build and support a growing music scene in central Iowa. Now, the nonprofit is calling it quits.
"The landscape has changed significantly, and we believe the many other music-related organizations and businesses in central Iowa are well-positioned to continue the work to foster our local music culture, and strive to position Des Moines as a nationally-recognized music city," the organization shared on its website.
Since its conception, DMMC has hosted dozens of local music events, summer music camps and more. In addition, the group has hosted 15 editions of the 80/35 Music Festival.
Local artist Lani Eclatt performed at the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) music festival last year, another event put on by the organization.
“I think it helped a lot to put my name out there and to get myself on the community for Des Moines to let them know that I'm here," Eclatt said.
80/35 has previously featured up-and-coming indie musicians, as well as bigger acts such as Kesha in 2018 and Charli XCX in 2022.
However, with DMMC out of the picture, the organization said the festival's future is "undetermined."
“I'm just disappointed it ended up to this to this point," Eclatt said. "I wish it could have been better.”
Hoyt Sherman Place CEO Robert Warren said he heard from people who worked at 80/35 that this year's festival didn't have as many attendees as previous years.
“The feedback that I was getting was that, because of the large space that they had out at Water Works Park, the crowd was looking thinner because they were spread out so much or it truly was a decline," Warren said.
Warren added that 80/35 is likely ending as part of an alarming national trend.
“Festivals across the country are sadly dying quickly," Warren said. "I'm also on the National Independent Venue Association board, and even the big ones like Coachella, are seeing a decline.”
Following DMMC's announcement, organizers said they will be working with partners and vendors to gradually scale back operations.
"We want to commend the many volunteers, sponsors, donors, advocates, and event attendees that supported the DMMC’s cause over the years," DMMC said in a statement.
Members of the Des Moines arts community encourage people to continue supporting them during this uncertain time.
“Buy a ticket and show up, that's the best way you can help out," Warren said.
Local 5 reached out to DMMC on Tuesday to figure out what factors led the organization to shutdown. They did not respond to requests for comment.