A large, two-day long music festival opens this afternoon at 3 p.m. in downtown Des Moines. The 2nd annual 80/35 Music Fest is named for the two interstates that intersect in the capital city.
Tonight’s headline act is Public Enemy, the ground-breaking hip hop act that includes VH-1 reality TV star Flavor Flav. Saturday’s headliner is Ben Harper. 80/35 organizer Amedeo Rossi is hoping the event will survive and thrive for many years to come.
"I think anything takes a little bit of luck and we had a lot of it last year with the weather," Rossi said. "We’re going to need a decent crowd and a good response…we can feel already that this year’s going to be strong." Around 13,000 people paid to attend last year’s inaugural 80/35 festival that included the rock band The Flaming Lips.
Rossi is hoping to match that turnout this year. More than three dozen bands will perform on three stages. The festival grounds include the main stage area, which requires paid admission, and two free stages. More information is available here .
AUDIO: Radio Iowa’s Pat Curtis reports on 80/35 festival. :60 MP3