Mayor Marsha Judkins attended and spoke at the Provo Music Scene Town Hall meeting Feb. 3, where attendees discussed topics such as festivals and city involvement in the music scene.
The meeting began with a discussion on festivals, venues and the development of "third spaces" within downtown Provo. Many residents said they would love to see more local music events, such as outdoor festivals, citing Logan’s Summerfest as an example.
Questions about accessibility, permits, city assistance and affordability ensued. A priority for many artists at the meeting was keeping costs low for attendees.
A room full of creatives resulted in many out-of-the-box solutions. Quincy Anne, owner of ThriftRx, suggested alternative entry requirements, rather than just money, for certain shows.
Judkins then took the stage to answer questions and discuss her ideas. Judkins has a background in music and said she is passionate about bringing new opportunities to Provo artists.
“(Music) brings the world together and brings people together,” Judkins said.
The main topic Judkins covered was Provo’s Rooftop Concert Series, which was discontinued after 2019. The concerts began as small shows on the roof of a parking garage before growing in size and moving to the streets of downtown Provo.
Chris Spadafora grew up in Provo and attended the rooftop concerts from 2013 to 2018.
“They were peak Provo,” Spadafora said.
While nothing official has been announced, Judkins said she is hopeful the series will return this summer.
“Personally, I’m determined to see it happen,” Judkins said.
The meeting concluded with a discussion about the music scene in relation to the Provo Arts Council.
The Provo Music Scene Town Hall is a tight-knit group of artists and community members. Organizers say it is an environment where everyone is respected, and creativity and kindness are encouraged.
The town hall meetings are organized by The Toaster Oven recording studio and hosted at 3Hive Record Lounge in Downtown Provo. Going forward, meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Those interested in the Provo music scene can visit the group's website. To suggest topics for the next town hall meeting, email provomusictownhall@gmail.com, or join the Discord channel found on the website.