The AMPlify Youth Music Festival brought together young musicians from across the state for a day of live performances and creative expression on Sept. 19 at the Gallivan Center. Organized by Applied Music Programs (AMP), the free event focused on providing youth artists with professional performance opportunities and a platform to showcase original music.
A Celebration of Young Artistry
The festival, held in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, featured a diverse lineup of youth bands. Each participating band performed a 30-minute set designed to showcase their unique sound, style, and creativity. According to the Gallivan Center, the event aimed to build an annual tradition that highlights the talent of young people while connecting them with a supportive community audience.
Festival Activities and Schedule
Attendees participated in a variety of activities throughout the day. The festival schedule included food trucks serving lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. and dinner between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Live musical performances began at 1:00 p.m. and continued until 8:30 p.m. Additionally, an instrument petting zoo was open to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Local Vendor Participation
The event also served as a marketplace for local vendors. Between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., vendor booths were available to the public, offering items such as vintage apparel, upcycled denim, art, jewelry, books, hair clips, and trinkets. The Gallivan Center noted that vendor applications for the event were reviewed throughout August and early September, with selected participants notified by Sept. 11.
Fundraising and Community Support
In addition to the musical performances, the festival was supported by community contributions. According to data from Givebutter, the AMPlify Youth Music Festival exceeded its fundraising goal of $5,000, raising a total of $6,000. This total represents 120% of the original target set by the organizers.
