Elsewhere Fest brings packed music lineup to Wichita while creating space for sobriety
Big-name artists like Killer Mike and Vince Staples will be in Wichita this weekend for Elsewhere Fest & Conference, a first-of-its-kind festival downtown.
Midtopia and other organizers of the two-day music festival aim to bring the community together through more than 70 live performances, art installations, food vendors and a conference for those in the music industry.
To Marquis Bradley, it’s all about reinvesting in Wichita and making it a destination.
“We want to be known for more and to do more,” said Bradley, Elsewhere Fest’s brand ambassador and community engagement leader. “So in order to do that, you have to really be creative. You have to be willing to take risks and take chances. But I think the most important part is you got to believe in the people that are in Wichita.”
Along with some local partners, Bradley pointed to some larger organizations, such as The Phoenix and 1 Million Strong, that will be at the festival.
The Phoenix, a 17-year-old national non-profit with a Wichita branch, focuses on helping people dealing with substance use through engaging in activities, such as workouts, hobbies and more.
“They’re really pushing the idea of being sober and getting help,” Bradley said “And so there’s a lot of resources that’s going to be there where we’re saying, ‘Hey, if you’re struggling with something in your life and you need help, there’s outlets here in town.’”
The non-profit will host a block party on Friday, June 21, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at 145 N. Wabash Ave., featuring mocktails, food, art and kids activities and live music.
“It’s in a great spot within the sort of music venue,” said Scott Strode, founder and executive director of The Phoenix. “I think often people think of resources like this as sort of being, you know, located at the back, off to the side, but we’re just, you know, right near the outdoor EDM stage. And it’s going to be this great space … and just inviting and high energy.”
A clear link between substance use and the music industry exists; 56% of music industry professionals cite problematic substance use, according to a 2020 study involving Tulane University.
“It’s something that we got to pay attention to and create these spaces,” Strode said.
Colette Weintraub, head of Stand Together Music, Sports & Entertainment, works with 1 Million Strong, which aims to break down barriers to sobriety. Weintraub said having both the national community 1 Million Strong and The Phoenix will create a built-in community at the festival.
“It’s all about celebrating people and their strength and supporting them,” Weintraub said. “It’s actually shifting the paradigm of what’s happened at festivals before, and it’s reinforcing that people have unique gifts and that everybody is strong and kind of getting rid of that stigma attached to it.”
On both festival days, from 4 to 10 p.m., 1 Million Strong will host a tent at 219 N. St Francis. The tent will feature a mocktail bar, photo booth and recovery meet-ups.
“It feels like the most VIP experience that you could go to at the festival,” Weintraub said. “It’s beautiful furnishing, and it’s spacious … It’s right in the heart of the festival.”
With the inaugural festival kicking off on Friday, Bradley and other organizers have a goal — “Don’t let this be the last one.”
“Let it be something where we can take the momentum and the energy from this one and build onto it for years to come.”
Beating the heat
Elsewhere Fest will see excessive heat, with Friday reaching 91 degrees Fahrenheit and Saturday reaching nearly 100. A large part of the festival’s activities will be outside.
Water stations will be at Naftzger Park, Wave, at 650 E. Second St. and the Where Else stage at 234 N. Emporia Ave.
To see a map of all the festival’s services, visit elsewherefest.com/pages/info and scroll to the bottom, where the festival map is located.
About the festival
Killer Mike and Steve Aoki will headline the first day of Elsewhere Fest. Killer Mike will perform outside Wave, starting at 10:45 p.m. Aoki’s show starts at 10 p.m. on the Where Else stage.
Saturday’s headliners include Lane 8 and Vince Staples. Lane 8 will begin his two-hour set on the Where Else stage at 10 p.m. Staples’ set will start at 10:30 p.m. and a few streets north at Wave.
Other local and international artists will perform throughout the festival in the same or nearby venues, such as Nortons Brewing Company, Naftzger Park and Barleycorn’s. The entire festival and conference line-up can be found elsewherefest.com/pages/info.
Tickets are on sale and range from $59 for a general single-day pass to $199 for a two-day VIP pass.
Check-in will be at the intersection of East Second St. and St Francis, near Wave.
