Photo by Blake Peterson
Park City Song Summit principals Ben Anderson: CEO/Founder; Julia Rametta: Director of Business Operations; Julia Stout: Director of Event Operations Park City Song Summit
Live music is a hallmark of summer in Park City, and music lovers are encouraged to indulge and explore their melodic passions in new ways this September when the Park City Song Summit finally gets its takes its place on town’s center stage.
Spearheaded by Park City resident Ben Anderson, a member of the popular local jam band Aiko, the Park City Cong Summit is billed as a four-day “love letter to the power of the song.” The event, set for Sept. 7-10 in and around Park City, is an ambitious mix of live performances and thoughtful discussions that pull back the curtain on the creative process as well as the struggles and breakthroughs that contribute to the creation of song.
“The great differentiator between Song Summit and the traditional music festival experience is our focus on conversations about the common bond of song and the universal language of music – the power of song to solve problems, change lives, spawn careers and literally move humankind forward,” Anderson recently told Variety.
While the Song Summit boasts celebrated musicians including Jason Isbell, Andrew Bird, Father John Misty, Fred Armisen, Josh Ritter, Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule, Anderson notes that the event also is designed to benefit several Park City community non-profits, including Communities That Care Summit County, Jewish Family Service and Summit County Clubhouse.
“Creating and providing funding to grow Park City Song Summit was in part inspired by my love for song but to an even larger degree, by my desire to provide awareness and resources for those who may also be challenged by trauma, addiction and mental health issues,” said Anderson. “Our Labs are meant to be a safe space for artist and audience alike to be inspired by others who have faced these challenges and to explore the ever-relevant issues of inclusivity, opportunity and equality.”
The “Song Summit Labs” feature artist-led discussions across three stages at The Lodges at Deer Valley that will “dissect, illuminate, and interrogate the art and craft of music and songwriting.” The Labs are designed to create an environment of inclusivity that promotes discussion of mental health, substance recovery, representation and social equity in addition to all things music.
Another unique experience at the Song Summit is the “Songwriter Rounds,” which give ticket holders access to one of four rounds, set to happen twice a day on Thursday and Friday (afternoon and evening, Sept. 8-9). The four-hour Songwriter Rounds will include three rounds each, featuring three songwriters per round, and food and beverage will be available for purchase.
The live shows will feature two series – early and late – across Park City music venues. The early show lineup will be announced on Monday, June 13, with tickets going on sale Friday, June 17. The late live shows will be announced in July, with tickets going on sale at a date TBD.
Several ticketing and pass options are available: Summit Passes include access to three days of more than 30 Summit Labs, entrance into evening performances, a Song Summit merch bundle and exclusive lodging discounts. The enhanced Summit+ Pass adds an opening night celebration featuring a four-course dinner and private performance by Jason Isbell and Adia Victoria at Blue Sky Ranch, early-entry and premium seating for all Labs, exclusive VIP area with private bar and bites for evening shows, and a personal concierge for restaurant reservations and activity recommendations.
Summit Passes go on sale May 20, and you can sign up here to be notified about Park City Song Summit’s ticket sales, as well as additional artist and event announcements.
More music opportunities highlight Park City’s summer schedule:
Deer Valley Music Festival: The 2022 festival marks the 18th season of providing chamber music, classical and pops offerings in several venues including Deer Valley Resort‘s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and salon events in private homes in the Park City area. The festival kicks off July 1 with “Stewart Copeland: Police Deranged for Orchestra.”
Grand Valley Bank Community Concert Series: Mountain Town Music has curated a fun lineup of free shows every Wednesday at Deer Valley Resort’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This five-week series kicks off June 22 with the Latino Arts Festival featuring Rumba Libre with Samba Fogo.
Mountain Town Music: Summer shows kick off in May and features weekly shows at multiple venues throughout Park City including Park City Library, Woodenshoe Park in Peoa, Great Lawn at DeJoria Center, Stio Stage at Miner’s Park, Newark Amphitheater and the Park Silly Sunday Market.
Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series: Big-name acts including Maren Morris, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt visit the small, lush setting of Red Butte Garden for this annual concert series, with tickets going on sale to the public on Monday, May 2, at 9 a.m.
