Returning for the third year, the 2024 Park City Song Summit will bring live music, intimate artist talks, and wellness activities to venues across Park City from August 15 to 17. With the Wasatch mountains serving as a stunning backdrop and a purposeful focus on well-being, the Song Summit delivers a music festival experience unlike any other.

A Vision Realized

At its core, the Park City Song Summit is more than just a music festival, says Julia Rametta, Vice President of the Summit. “It is built on a foundation of love for music and a commitment to mental health and recovery.”

Founded by Park City resident Ben Anderson, Park City Song Summit began as the successful Park City Songwriter Festival in 2019. Anderson envisioned this event as a haven for music enthusiasts and artists alike.

Anderson, who is in recovery himself, “has seen a lot of his friends struggle, whether they're touring artists or just living the rock and roll lifestyle,” Rametta explains. To support both attendees and artists wherever they are in their wellness journey, the Park City Song Summit works to ensure they have the necessary support while away from home and family.

Overall, the festival has an inclusive spirit, offering a welcoming environment with various wellness activities during the day, such as yoga, sound baths, hiking, and biking, as well as plentiful alcohol-free options.

What is the Park City Song Summit

Ben Anderson began dreaming up the Park City Song Summit long before officially moving to Park City. The idea of creating an immersive musical event was initially hatched by his wife, Paige, who told Ben, "Of all the great mountain towns that exist, Park City is a really special one, but a lot of mountain towns have more music... When we move there, if there's no music event, we should start one."

Those fateful words ignited a fire that disrupted the music industry. When COVID hit, and the music world experienced devastating losses due to mental health and substance abuse, Ben felt heightened ambition to redefine multi-day music gatherings. "There's this wellness component that we felt was being missed, nationwide, or in the music industry. And not just for the artists in the spotlight. There's a whole lot of the unsung heroes that are all supporting that artist or those artists in a band to be on that stage," he explains.

The inaugural Park City Song Summit in 2022 more than exceeded his expectations and hopes to create a restorative space for creatives and their support team. The second annual Summit will embody the 2022 success and build upon the foundation. Each day starts with morning wellness activities. The afternoon is all about getting to know the musicians, songwriters, and artists during intimate Labs, where the moderator and creative delve into conversations that expose the heart of music. The evenings are a mosaic of live performances and songwriter rounds where festival goers will hear and feel the music in a new light after getting to know the artist during Lab conversations.

"You are really coming to be to move and be moved. You're coming to learn about the creative process, learn about people's stories, and in some way, be changed. You'll leave a different person than you came in a very positive way," Ben states.

An Intimate and Diverse Musical Lineup

The Park City Song Summit prides itself on creating a boutique, intimate experience. “Our goal is never to get to that critical mass on a single day,” Rametta says. “We want to keep it a more boutique, intimate experience.”

This year’s lineup is a testament to that vision, featuring a diverse range of artists from various genres. Headliners include My Morning Jacket, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Mavis Staples, and Cimafunk. “We have a range from jam bands to Americana Folk, to Latin music. The festival started with singer-songwriters, and that’s still a big part of it,” Rametta notes.

Most of the performances will take place at the Canyons Village Amphitheater, with two late-night shows happening at the Cabin, on Main Street. These shows are open to anyone for just $17. Tickets are available on the website.

Summit Labs: Deepening the Musical Connection

One of the highlights of the Park City Song Summit is Summit Labs. This year, these intimate sessions, which take place at the Pendry Park City, allow artists to discuss their mental health, wellness, songwriting, and creative journeys. Attendees have the unique opportunity to connect with artists on a deeper level and gain insights into their creative worlds, leading to a deeper appreciation for their music.

This year’s discussions will also explore a buzzy topic: the impact of AI on the creative process, Rametta adds. “My number one piece of advice for attendees is to see at least one Lab. You never know what you’ll discover.”

Wellness Activities

To ensure a holistic and healthy experience, the festival offers daily wellness activities such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and sound baths. On Friday and Saturday mornings, festival goers can find sound baths, yoga classes, and meditations offered at the Pendry pool.

In addition, the Song Summit Village, located in the Canyons Forum, is a free space for anyone to enjoy live music, vendor offerings, food trucks, and wellness support from partners like the University of Utah and the Stretch Lab. “It’s a place to come together as a community, relax, feel good, and experience the event in a holistic way,” Rametta says.

A Perfect Mountain Setting

Nestled in the Wasatch mountains, Park City provides a stunning backdrop for this unique festival. Attendees can enjoy easy access to guided hikes, bike rides, hotels, and more, all within close proximity. “Park City offers a beautiful mountain setting with plenty of activities,” Rametta says. “Guided hikes, great hotels, and food all in Canyons Village make the location a perfect one-stop destination.”

How to Join in the Fun

Whether you're a fan of the performers, a live music aficionado looking to discover new artists, or simply a visitor who enjoys catching some live music, the Park City Song Summit has something for everyone. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Park City Song Summit.