Photo courtesy of Somewhere Festival & Conference

Following a celebrated debut in 2024 as Elsewhere Festival, Somewhere Festival & Conference will return to Downtown Wichita, Kansas with an expanded program reflecting its setting’s rapid development as a home for music, artists and trailblazers. With its sophomore staging, set for June 13 and 14, the mission-oriented not-for-profit event presented by Movement Musik and Midtopia makes a new name for itself with an unparalleled bill of titanic acts across a subversive mix of genres and styles.

Somewhere Festival’s 2025 lineup is helmed by progressive house icon Deadmau5, chart-climbing Dallas rap pathbreaker BigXThaPlug, alt-pop sensation Suki Waterhouse and legendary shapeshifting producer and multi-hyphenate electronic powerhouse Flying Lotus. Diverse perspectives abound in the undercard, too, with innovators like Kim Gordon, Aloe Blacc, Die Spitz, Cassian, Tinlicker, Jerro, La Luz, Tommy Newport, Elise Trouw and more filling out the 47-act bill. The myriad artists involved fearlessly cross boundaries independently and disrupt genre entirely as a collective, blurring hip-hop, techno, rock, pop, alternative and more into an intangible musical alloy.

“Somewhere Festival is more than a festival—it’s a movement,” said Midtopia artist Rudy Love Jr. in a release. “It’s about giving artists the space to create, but also the tools to build sustainable careers, the knowledge to make an impact, and the community to support them along the way.”

Beyond the tremendous lineup, Somewhere Festival is innovative in the scope of its programming. Onstage and off, the event will incorporate AI-driven, cutting-edge production elements and interactive installations that push beyond the proscenium to create an immersive music experience. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with a range of hands-on art exhibitions curated by Harvester Arts and enjoy gourmet food and beverage from a litany of vendors highlighting local and regional talents.

As a not-for-profit event, Somewhere Festival centers inclusivity with “real-world” ticket pricing and a free stage that welcomes walk-ins from around Wichita. The event’s mission-oriented approach is also apparent in its partnerships with impactful community organizations like The Phoenix, 1 Million Strong, Learning Lab Wichita, Empower North End, Create Campaign, The Neighboring Movement and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), all of which will be represented in person at the event and spotlighted to spur social change by leading Somewhere’s socially-conscious audience to avenues for making change.

“Somewhere Festival is about using music as a platform for creativity, exploration, and positive change,” detailed Jessie Hartke, CEO and Director of Midtopia. “Last year proved that this vision resonates, and this year we’re going even bigger—offering more opportunities for connection, artistic discovery, and real impact in Wichita.”

The jam-packed weekend is topped off by the Somewhere Conference, which will gather artists and music industry professionals for a summit defining music’s present and future and promoting the free exchange of powerful ideas. Panels and workshops will set their sights on such vital topics as engaging audiences and enacting social change through music, and veteran performer and songwriter Aloe Blacc will deliver a fireside chat on art, activism and the changes at hand in the music industry.

“When we launched this festival, it was about creating a space for artists and music workers who weren’t finding the support they needed in traditional industry spaces,” shared Chase Koch, founder of Movement Musick. “With Somewhere Fest, we’re proving that Wichita isn’t ‘elsewhere’ when it comes to music and culture—it’s Somewhere. A place where artists and audiences can connect, collaborate, and create something truly meaningful.”

Tickets for Somewhere Fesitval & Conference will be available first through a presale on Thursday, Feb. 27. General on-sale will follow on Friday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. CT. For more information on the event, visit https://somewhere-fest.com/