FORT COLLINS – FoCoMX 2016—known as “The Biggest Little Festival in America”— is incorporating several new features this year including a comedy lineup. Presented by the Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA) and sponsored by Odell Brewing Co., the 8th annual FoCoMX weekend, April 22-23, boasts over 250 Colorado bands and solo musicians at 25 Downtown Fort Collins venues.

This year’s lineup is filled with even more live music to explore including bands who have made their mark on the Fort Collins’ and Colorado music and recording scene.  Many of the festival’s featured bands have exploded onto the national scene, are often touring or are in the studio. With a wealth of genres, audience draw and strong commitment to their native music scenes these bands show the diversity, relevance and strength of the Fort Collins’ music movement.

Featured FoCoMX talented Colorado artists include Dubskin, Musketeer Gripweed, In the Whale, The Patti Fiasco, Brent Cowles, The Holler!, Pandas and People, Nate Cook (of The Yawpers), Shatterproof, and Endless Monster (featuring Karl Alvarez from the Descendents).

This uniquely Fort Collins event brings thousands of music lovers closer to their favorite Colorado bands while exposing them to new music, bringing professional development opportunities to the musicians themselves and entertaining thousands of residents and tourists. The festival celebrates its eighth year of successfully showcasing over a dozen music genres and nearly 300 live performances over the course of two days, while featuring local venues who support live music throughout the year, and furthering FoCoMA’s mission to support the success of local musicians and our vibrant regionally recognized music scene.

Youth programming and student involvement is featured this year with Kids Programming at Everyday Joe’s Coffee House, youth performances throughout the lineup and an extensive partnership with Colorado State University. Mr. Marty (www.kidsmusic.co), 15-year-old Maya Bennet and Linneage Music Project (www.lineagemusicproject.com) are some of the favorites in the youth lineup. FoCoMX has teamed up with an honors class at CSU to mentor students in a real-life marketing project to market a CSU Ramskeller pre-event, as well as working with Rocky Mountain Student Media to shoot archival video and execute cross platform coverage of the event to provide real world event experiences. “Mentoring students is a key part of growing the next generation of Fort Collins music lovers.”

We are able to do this by booking youth bands, including programming for younger audiences, as well as working with CSU on events and marketing campaigns.” Peggy
Lyle, FoCoMA Board of Directors.

FoCoMX 2016 also features comedy acts from local comedians between sets at several
venues. “We are extremely proud to add comedy to our FoCoMX festivities this year! We are happy to showcase another talented genre of performers in our community and feel they will bring a unique element of excitement to the festival,” said Cornett.

FoCoMX.org The FoCoMX 8 website has the comprehensive schedule with all the
music lineups for fans to browse, listen to bands and plan their musical weekend.
(www.focomx.org) The website features the music lineup, schedules, press information
and graphics, volunteer opportunities and information on free industry workshops/panels
for local musicians.

Wristbands are $35 and are for Sale at FoCoMX.org and Rock N’ Robins on S. College Avenue in Fort Collins. A weekend wristband provides music enthusiasts with an opportunity to experience Northern Colorado’s extensive variety of live bands from every genre, DJs, and even some comedy shows.

Facebook: facebook.com/focomx
Twitter: @FoCoMX
Instagram : @FoCoMX