As the festival season charges full steam ahead, the preparation for each event becomes a task in itself. Welcome to MP3 PREP, your ultimate guide to navigating the pulsating world of music festivals.

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Elevation Music Festival will return to the scenic mountain town of Alma, Colorado and host the nation’s “highest music festival” from June 30 to July 2.

Centered around celebrating the transformative power of music, Elevation Music Festival will return with a genre-spanning lineup overseeing jam, progressive rock, electronic, reggae, and bluegrass. This year, festival hosts Eminence Ensemble will play two sets over the weekend alongside the likes of The Motet, Cycles, Tenth Mountain Division, Evanoff, The Jauntee, Split Window, Jack Cloonan Band, Float Like A Buffalo, among others.

In addition to an impressive musical lineup that showcases Colorado and the Midwest’s music scene, the festival will also offer a range of on-site food, art, craft beer libations. A festival isn’t complete without workshops and activities, so attendees will also be included in yoga classes, immersive art installations, and even a live chainsaw carving.

Additionally, don’t forget your floaties! The festival is geared up to host the “highest beach party in America” to float and listen to performances in the river just steps away from the main stage. It truly is the ultimate party at over 10,500 feet elevation, with views overlooking the stunning Colorado landscape. Oh, and attendees can choose to camp on-site (included for all festival tickets holders) or sleep and shower directly across the street at the partnered Treeline Hostel where late-night sets will be popping off into the early mornings.

Additionally, Elevation Music Festival intends to give back to the community and will donate a portion of the net proceeds to South Park Burro Band, Alma’s school district music program.

To prepare for the mountain musical madness, we’ve listed eight artists and a staple track from each to listen through your elevated days to the get to the festival. For tickets and additional information, visit the festival’s website.

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Eminence Ensemble – “Hacer Sex” (Live)

Out via the band’s Live From Shakedown Bar album released earlier this year, “Hacer Sex” will make you conjure all the sultry feelings of rock n’ roll. The song has become a staple in EE’s live sets due to the musical balance of all six members firing off on all cylinders for progressive, jam madness. As the festival hosts, these guys are a must-see.

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The Motet – “False Prophets”

As the second single off the Colorado-based funk band’s latest album All Day, “False Prophets” grooves through soulful funk and jazz compositions that will have you dancing all through the evening. It’s the low-end synths that really tie it together that put listeners into a dream state trance before the band picks it back up to the ultimate funk party.

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Cycles – “The Clock” (Live)

We know that once the clock strikes to mark the beginning of Cycles’ set, we’ll be there. Featured on the band’s Big Dawgs Only: Live at Mission Ballroom album from April, “The Clock” oversees eight minutes of deep and dark psychedelic guitar work, full of echoing chords and frenzied time signatures.

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Tenth Mountain Division – “Your Love Won’t Let Me Go” (Live)

Who wouldn’t want to jam in a van with these guys? Heard on their 2022 Jam in the Van live session album, “Your Love Won’t Let Me Go” showcases the group’s impressive versatile sound spanning Americana, Southern psychedelic rock, and progressive bluegrass.

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Evanoff – “STARE MESTO”

Kicking off with thought-provoking voice samples touching on the role of technology within our modern lives, Evanoff rounds into steady psychedelic melodies that sing out through pulsating drums, bass, and the guitar for an emotive four-minute track. These guys pretty deep in the electronic realm, so prepare for a full showcase at the festival.

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The Jauntee – “Have You Ever”

Have you ever danced to The Jauntee in North America’s highest town? I didn’t think so, but you should be soon. Appearing on the band’s Jaunts of Our Lives, Vol. 2 live album, “Have You Ever” treks through feel-good funk grooves making you want to dance all the way though the day.

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Split Window – “Oldest Medicine”

Elevation Music Festival wouldn’t be complete with some sultry reggae tunes. Thanks to Split Window, attendees will be served up a plate full of reggae jams full of live horns, spliff smoking, and hot and heavy rhythms.

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Graham Good and the Painters – “Slumber” (Live)

Rounding out the eclectic mix of Elevation Music Festival’s lineup is Colorado-based, feel-good group Graham Good and the Painters. These guys will surely pull you out of any kind of funky slumber you may find yourself in with their high energy and positive anthems.

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