When people first look at the SilverVox Film + Music Festival music lineup, their eyes naturally gravitate toward the marquee names. Friday night brings a special homecoming performance from rising Maryland artist Rae Boyd, joined by singer-songwriter Jesse Findling, at the Weinberg Center. Boyd’s journey from performing in local Maryland restaurants alongside her sister Jamie to earning national attention through American Idol is exactly the kind of story that reminds us how quickly local talent can become national talent.

Then Saturday culminates in one of the festival’s biggest events as Kishi Bashi, DIIV, and CULTS take over the Weinberg Center stage, while Sunday concludes with Look Up: Faith. Freedom. Impact., a Juneteenth concert presented by the Denyce Graves Foundation at Hood College featuring sopranos Symone Harcum and Katerina Burton with pianist Liz Hill.

But one of the most exciting aspects of SilverVox isn’t found on the biggest stages.

Spread across downtown Frederick over three days are nearly thirty local and regional musicians performing in intimate venues, breweries, courtyards, theaters, and outdoor gathering spaces. These artists represent the creative heartbeat of the Mid-Atlantic music community and embody one of the festival’s core ideas: that creativity connects us not only through internationally recognized performers, but through the artists creating remarkable work in our own communities.

Friday’s local music programming begins at 7th Sister, where audiences can spend the afternoon with singer-songwriters and regional performers including Mike Kuster, Lauren Hill, and Dominica Knapp. The venue’s courtyard setting offers the kind of close-up musical experience that has become increasingly rare in an era of arena concerts and streaming playlists. The evening continues with a special performance by Jonah Matranga, the influential independent songwriter whose career has spanned decades and numerous projects, earning him a devoted following among fans of emotionally direct, independent music.

At JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House, festivalgoers can experience three distinctly different regional acts. Juliet Lloyd brings her thoughtful songwriting and polished pop-folk sensibilities, while Nimrod’s Sun explores a more adventurous and eclectic sonic territory. Brother Rust rounds out the evening with a sound rooted in Americana, folk, and roots traditions that feel particularly at home in Frederick’s historic downtown.

Maryland Ensemble Theater’s Key Stage showcases another side of the region’s music scene Friday night. Rugan Lewis, Sunniva, digidoll, and Chèvre each bring their own creative approach to performance, reflecting the genre-crossing spirit that SilverVox embraces throughout the festival. Rather than focusing on a single style or scene, the lineup celebrates the diversity of voices emerging from the broader Mid-Atlantic region.

Saturday expands that musical journey across even more venues. At 7th Sister,Terance Auleta, Skribe, and Adrienne Smith perform throughout the afternoon before DJ Dan Gellerman takes over the Tito’s courtyard party. The evening continues with Stripmall Ballads and a return appearance from Jonah Matranga, giving audiences another opportunity to experience one of independent music’s most enduring and respected voices.

Meanwhile, Sky Stage becomes a showcase for some of the area’s most exciting emerging performers. Resident DJ Zzingg anchors the afternoon while Owlfeather, Chipelo, Kennece the Menace, and LAMÄR bring an eclectic mix of styles and influences to one of Frederick’s most unique outdoor venues. The evening culminates with headliner Sabrina Movitz, whose performance closes out an afternoon designed to celebrate discovery and musical exploration.

For audiences seeking something even more adventurous, Maryland Ensemble Theater’s Saturday lineup features Kamyar Arsani and Prophets of the Abstract Truth before jazz innovator Ronnie Burrage & Holographic Principle headlines the evening. Burrage’s work has long pushed beyond conventional genre boundaries, making him a fitting artist for a festival that deliberately blurs the lines between film, music, visual art, and performance.

The local and regional spotlight continues on Sunday at Sky Stage. Resident DJ DeadDiscoSociety hosts an afternoon lineup featuring C1ive, Zootu, GO79MAN, and headliner BIKES. Like much of the festival’s music programming, the Sunday showcase reflects SilverVox’s commitment to giving audiences an opportunity to discover artists they may not encounter elsewhere while highlighting the remarkable depth of talent throughout the region.

That spirit of discovery is ultimately what makes SilverVox’s local and regional music programming so important. The headliners may bring audiences through the door, but these smaller stages and emerging artists create the connective tissue of the festival experience. They transform SilverVox from a series of events into a living, breathing celebration of creativity happening throughout the city.

So while Rae Boyd, Jesse Findling, Kishi Bashi, DIIV, CULTS, Symone Harcum, Katerina Burton, and Liz Hill deservedly occupy the spotlight, make time to wander. Step into a venue you’ve never visited. Catch a set by an artist you’ve never heard of. Spend an afternoon moving from courtyard to theater to outdoor stage.

You may discover your new favorite band—and that discovery is exactly what festivals are for.

AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!!!!  Full Schedule at https://silvervoxfest.com/schedule/