This weekend, Boulder will sound a little louder. From October 17 to 19, Pearl Street will transform into a citywide celebration of live music as the inaugural Boulder Roots Music Fest takes over fifteen stages across downtown. We’re talking coffee shops, breweries, bookstores, vintage shops, and yes, even the Boulder Theater.

With a lineup stacked with 180 bands and more than 750 artists, the debut fest brings together Colorado’s vibrant local scene with nationally known acts like Yonder Mountain String Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Andy Frasco & the U.N., and North Mississippi Allstars. The three-day event aims to capture Boulder’s creative DNA, blending art, community, and wellness into one unforgettable weekend.

Beyond the live sets, festivalgoers can expect yoga sessions, youth showcases, sober stages, and collaborations with local organizations including World Singing Day and Parlando Music School. It’s all the work of Bear Roots, a nonprofit collaboration between Roots Music Project and Caruso Ventures, built on a shared belief that music has the power to connect and uplift.

To get the inside scoop, we caught up with Executive Director Dave Kennedy of Roots Music Project to talk about how Boulder Roots came to life, what makes it different from your average music festival, and how it’s helping shape the city’s next great creative era. Check out our conversation below!

[Rooster]: This is the first-ever Boulder Roots Music Fest. What inspired the idea, and why was 2025 the right time to launch it?

[Dave Kennedy]: Boulder’s rich musical legacy inspired this festival. The city’s had so many “hey days”—the 70s, 80s, 90s—it’s our generation’s turn to create our own. Honestly, we couldn’t believe something like this didn’t already exist. The City of Boulder, Caruso Foundation, the local scene, and Roots Music Project all came together to make it happen.

The lineup is stacked. How did you approach curating such a wide range of talent?

We wanted to go big, and we wanted to go local. It’s definitely ambitious for year one, but there’s so much talent on the Front Range it just felt right. Life’s short—why not include everyone?

Pearl Street is such a Boulder landmark. What made you decide to build the festival around it?

Our goal is citywide immersion. Pearl Street already has the energy and character we wanted to highlight. These shop owners and venues are true believers in the local scene. When you walk into each space, you can feel their love for music—it’s the heartbeat of Boulder.

The festival also includes yoga, wellness workshops, and youth programming. Why was that important to include?

We’re a nonprofit, and we genuinely believe music has the power to make the world better. We’re not just throwing a party—we’re building something that inspires people, supports recovery, and strengthens our creative community.

What do you hope people walk away feeling after three days at Boulder Roots?

I hope they’re inspired—to start a band, to meet new people, to find a new favorite spot in town. This festival is for the community, owned by the community, and fueled by a DIY spirit we never want to lose.

Boulder is known for blending tech, arts, and culture. How does that crossover show up in this festival?

Boulder’s tech, art, and local scenes all inspire each other. That blend was something Caruso Ventures encouraged us to embrace. I was invited to speak about the fest at a Boulder AI Builders meetup, and 400 people showed up. Turns out, a lot of those tech folks are musicians too.

What’s been the most rewarding part of bringing it all together?

A young performer wrote me a note saying she’s three months into recovery and that this festival gives her hope. That’s everything. That’s why we do this.

Where do you see Boulder Roots Music Fest in five years?

I want it to be seen as a national model—a festival that transforms the community through music and creativity. Boulder’s a special place. Let’s make something unforgettable together.