Elsewhere Fest aims to provide unique opportunity for rising artist
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Musicians and artists from across the region flocked to Wichita for the Elsewhere Festival. The two-day festival just kicked off near the Old Town.
Rudy Love Jr. is well-known around the Wichita music scene, but he said that wasn’t always the case. He believes Elsewhere Fest provides a unique opportunity that wasn’t around when he was beginning his career.
A two-day event brought in nearly 40 bands as well as artists from around the region.
A way for local talent to be discovered.
“Giving people that clear path, that opportunity to realize the potential that they have, because Wichita is such an amazing place with many amazing talented musicians,” said Love Jr.
The festival features well-known local artists and those just starting out.
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Fresh off performing at Riverfest, ‘Rudy Love Jr. and the Encore’ performed on opening night. He said these types of resources are needed for up-and-coming artists, something he had to leave Wichita to find.
“I’m happy to see all the resources and opportunities that I didn’t have when I was younger here. That forced me to move away. Now we have that here, and so, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Love Jr.
Festival Director Jessie Hartke said the event also provides a meeting conference at a local brewery for artists to learn from other creatives in the industry.
“Just knowledge such as ‘How can you book your first tour?’ ‘What do you do when you book your first tour?’ ‘How can you maintain your mental health when working in the music industry,” said Hartke.
ZuZu’s Petals had just formed while the band members were together at Wichita State University, grateful to have the opportunity to get their name out there.
“I appreciated just how many obscure local acts are included. It really is a festival for local bands that might not have that chance to get that kind of exposure,” said band member Kyle Hall.
A lot of artists share that. The festival is just as much about them getting exposure as it is about meeting those in the community with the same passion for music.
You can find a complete schedule for both festival days here.
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