The Annual Moab Music Festival
A Symphony in the Wilderness
The natural beauty of Utah's famed red rock canyons serves as a backdrop for one of the most distinctive music events in the country. The Moab Music Festival, established in 1992, is an enchanting union of music and nature that can be described as a sensory adventure. This annual music festival blends world-class musicians, various genres of music (chamber music, jazz, Latin tunes, and more), and breathtaking outdoor venues to create a musical journey unlike any other.
30 Years of the Moab Music Festival
Founded by New York-based musicians Leslie Tomkins and Michael Barrett, the award-winning Moab Music Festival was born out of an appreciation for the unique energy of Moab's mystical red rock landscape. The duo wanted to intertwine this magic with the joy of music, resulting in a one-of-a-kind musical experience. This year, the festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary and will run from August 21 to September 15, 2023.
Extraordinary Venues and Performances
During the festival's two-week span, nearly twenty concerts will be held at various venues—from private ranches and homes, to the quaint Star Hall, to one-of-a-kind outdoor venues that transport audiences to a world where music and nature intertwine.
The festival's experiences are designed to harmonize with its unique surroundings. One particularly unforgettable adventure leads attendees into a secluded canyon via a guided hike. Here, Bach’s sublime Cello Suite No. 4 sets the tone for a program that includes performances from wind instruments like the flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon. This musical-acoustic experience unfolds in one of the festival's most cherished concert sites.
In addition, the festival offers concerts in a pristine Colorado River grotto accessible only by a private jet boat voyage. This enchanting venue stages performances celebrating Brahms's emotional depth and Mendelssohn's spirited exuberance, enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings through the power of music.
The festival is further enriched by two multi-day Musical Raft Trips, accompanied by master musicians, historians, and naturalists, serving as spectacular bookends to this extraordinary event.
Acoustic Excellence: Awards and Recognitions
The Moab Music Festival's uniqueness and commitment to innovative programming have earned it prestigious recognitions such as the Utah Arts Council’s Governor’s Award in the Arts; First Prize for “Adventurous Programming” from the American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP); and a Utah Governor’s Mansion Arts Award.
Where to Stay for the Moab Music Festival
This celebration of music is made extra memorable with comfortable, luxurious, and unique accommodations at ULUM Moab. Nestled just 30 minutes away from the festival's hub, ULUM Moab is a outdoor resort that amplifies your festival experience with an array of complimentary activities. Amidst the quiet serenity of nature, guests can savor live acoustic music under a canopy of stars, engage in peaceful morning yoga sessions, and immerse themselves in the tranquility of sound bath meditations.
Unwind and relish in the simple pleasures of roasting s'mores over a cozy fire pits or rejuvenate your senses in the resort's hot and cold dipping pools after a day spent delving into the festival's musical offerings. When it's time to retreat, a safari-inspired tent awaits you. Here, a plush king-sized bed ensures a restful slumber, recharging you for another day of musical adventure.
