Velour Live Music Gallery has announced its performance schedule for mid-August 2026, featuring a new band showcase and various open-mic nights at its downtown Provo location. The venue, which has served as a launchpad for nationally recognized artists for nearly two decades, continues to host community-focused musical events.
Upcoming August Performances
The upcoming schedule for Velour includes a new band showcase on August 12 at 8:00 p.m., featuring performances by Redline, Minivan, Church of Julia, and Warm October. The venue will also host open-mic nights on August 8 at 7:30 p.m. and August 13 at 7:30 p.m., providing a platform for emerging local talent.
A Launchpad for National Talent
Owned by Corey Fox, the all-ages venue has played a pivotal role in nurturing Provo's music scene. According to Visit Utah, the gallery has helped launch bands such as Grammy-winning Imagine Dragons, platinum-selling Neon Trees, The Aces, and The Backseat Lovers. Other notable performers who gained experience on the Velour stage include Lindsay Stirling, who later appeared on television programs such as "America's Got Talent," "American Idol," and "The Voice."
The Vision for Velour
Fox established Velour in 2006 after working in various music business roles and managing Muse Music, a long-running Provo venue. He purposefully added "Live Music Gallery" to the name to emphasize the artistic nature of the performances. Unlike traditional bars, the venue does not serve alcohol, a structure Fox says forces bands to focus on branding and marketing to build a dedicated fanbase.
Resilience Through Pandemic
The venue previously faced a 16-month closure due to COVID-19 restrictions. It eventually reopened in mid-July 2021 with a symbolic sage cleansing and a series of nearly sold-out shows. Fox credited the venue's survival to community support, including government grants, fundraising campaigns, and monthly unsolicited donations from regulars during the closure.
A Collaborative Community
The local music ecosystem is bolstered by the collaboration between Velour and nearby record shops and studios. Sam Cannon, owner of Provo's 3hive Record Lounge and a longtime colleague of Fox, noted that the scene is driven by creative students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University seeking community through music.
Local Music History
The history of the Provo music scene includes various local releases, such as the "dirty provo vol. 1" album released in October 2014. This earlier era of local music was marked by artistic efforts like the "dirty provo halloween zine," which featured artwork by Lily Lovell and a mix CD-R by Johnny Keating.
Venue Information
Velour remains located at 135 N University Ave in Provo, offering a space for diverse genres including indie-rock, pop, electronic, art rock, and soul-pop.
