Somewhere Festival & Conference has officially announced the complete programming for its 2025 conference, set to take place June 13–14 across Groover Labs and Somewhere Works in downtown Wichita. Designed to support artists, music workers, and creative entrepreneurs, the conference delivers two days of actionable insight, artistic dialogue, and forward-thinking education.
Anchoring this year’s schedule is a Fireside Chat with Aloe Blacc, moderated by Chase Koch, founder of Movement Musick and Stand Together Music, offering an intimate look at Blacc’s three-decade career at the intersection of music and social change. The two-day program also features deep-dive panels and practical workshops on topics ranging from mental health and freedom of expression to branding, tour routing, and building sustainable music communities.
Panels and workshops will be led by key voices from Billboard, the Music Business Association, Radio Milwaukee, Harvester Arts, NPR’s Louisville Public Media, The Phoenix, and more, alongside independent artists and cultural leaders from across North America.
“This year’s conference reflects the spirit of Somewhere as a whole—bringing people together to share knowledge, challenge norms, and build something sustainable and meaningful,” said Jessie Hartke, CEO of Midtopia, which co-presents the festival and conference with Movement Musick. “We want artists and music workers to leave not just inspired, but equipped.”
Hands-on, RSVP-only workshops include sessions like “We’ll Loop It Live!” with Elise Trouw and Talia Keys, “Getting PR Ready” with Prospect PR’s Jon Bleicher, and a tour routing intensive with Max Indiveri. Other sessions will dive into collaborative studio workflows and artist branding with industry veterans including John McBride of Blackbird Studio.
The conference unfolds as part of the larger Somewhere Festival & Conference, a two-day celebration of music, art, and community. Festival performances will feature boundary-pushing artists like Deadmau5, Suki Waterhouse, BigXthaPlug, Flying Lotus, and Aloe Blacc (appearing with 2ŁØT), along with immersive art installations and curated discussions.
Conference Highlights – Friday, June 13 (Groover Labs & Somewhere Works):
- Freedom of Expression in Music: A panel exploring music as a platform for activism and personal storytelling.
- Fireside Chat: Aloe Blacc & Chase Koch: A reflective conversation on Blacc’s career, purpose, and cultural impact.
- New Pathways in Music: Navigating alternatives to formal education and addressing mental health in the industry.
- Workshops: Branding for artists, and setting up a collaborative studio environment.
Conference Highlights – Saturday, June 14 (Groover Labs & Somewhere Works):
- At-the-Show Marketing & Local Promotion Strategies
- What Other People Want from You: Insider insights from bookers, festivals, and industry scouts.
- Paradigm & Social Changes in Music: How to cultivate inclusive and sustainable local scenes.
- Workshops: Live looping, PR preparation, and tour routing.
Attendees can also participate in Midtopia Walking Tours, led daily at 2PM by Harvester Arts Artist-in-Residence Aaron Asis, offering a cultural exploration of Wichita’s creative infrastructure and the long-term community vision behind the festival.
Admission to the conference is separate from general festival passes. The full schedule is now live at somewhere-fest.com.