Now in its 49th year, The Utah Arts Fest has made some changes to its programming and footprint. One of the main goals for this year's festival is a more intimate atmosphere, providing bonkers works of art, silly games, side activities and of course, music. The 2025 musical lineup of Utah's longest-running summer festival is a varied billing of some of the best local acts around alongside bigger names of yore. Over four days, treat yourself to unique and diverse voices, multiple genres and 200-plus performances on five stages. Here is a quick rundown of each day's headliners, along with local acts that you do not want to miss.

THURSDAY (6/19) - Leftover Salmon: Based out of Boulder, Colo. and the standard-bearers of "JamGrass," Leftover Salmon are still picking it forward and drawing bigger and bigger audiences. Anchored by founding members Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman, the band features the anything-can-happen banjo work of Andy Thorn, with a tough duty rhythm section made up of bassist Greg Garrison, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and the skilled Jay Starling on dobro and keys. With total immersion in their instruments, there is a strength in their tone and a sense of melody which shows a consciousness of tradition, something that some of today's super-pickers lack in their pursuit of thousand MPH, lick-ridden renditions. Leftover Salmon dabble with a few styles and the ability to balance tightly composed classics with freewheeling jams. I am completely in awe of what they do.

Don't Miss: Salt Lake City's own five-piece powerhouse, Theoretical Blonde. Their know-how and sounds of not-so-strictly bluegrass send harmonies to perfection. Be sure to also stop by to see 1520 Arts as they celebrate hip-hop culture with a producer battle, emcee showcase and DJ exhibition.

FRIDAY (6/20) - Robert Randolph: Before I witnessed the styles of Robert Randolph, I would have argued that it's near impossible to funk with a pedal steel guitar. I was so terribly wrong. Hailing from Orange, N.J., Robert Randolph is a Gandalf-level wizard of this labyrinthine device; he has mastered the art of summoning every screech, growl, swoop and roar as an extension of his body and soul. The sacred steel-playing may be somewhat rooted in tradition, but the genre mashup most definitely frees the instrument from familiar surroundings. Seriously, every solo he lays down is an absolute ripper. Watching him do his thing—that leg action and all—I'm not sure how he doesn't lose his balance. Randolph is backed by his family band, featuring Marcus Randolph on drums and Daniel Morgan on bass—both cousins—as well as his sister, vocalist Lenesha Randolph, who effortlessly blends gospel, rock, blues and soul. When this outfit hits the stage, it's nothing but a party.

Don't Miss: Sister Wives. The band, not the reality show. Rocking for over two decades, these blues artists put the musicianship first, however the fun isn't far behind. Also, the School of Rock House Band's tight performances are on point.

SATURDAY (6/21) - Souls of Mischief: Having released six albums over the course of a three-decade career, plus three other records as part of the legendary Hieroglyphics collective, Souls of Mischief are among the most influential groups of hip-hop's "golden era." The chemistry from all of those albums is right there on stage, as A-Plus, Opio, Phesto and Tajai are still setting mics on fire. The music that Souls create makes you realize why you love the culture. Sure, the Bay Area's underground hip-hop scene in the early aughts was a magical time and place, but SOM consistently levels up when they put out new music that makes you realize why you love it in the first place. Still, the title track off of their debut, 93' Til Infinity is the holy grail of beats. Come on out and see a truly UNREAL performance by these masters of ceremonies.

Don't Miss: Utah rap heavyweights House of Lewis, who always manage to move the crowd. Fellow local singer/songwriter Brother Chunky will no doubt serve up soulful roots-infused bluesy grooves.

SUNDAY (6/22) - MV Caldera: Venezuelan singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist MV Caldera can't be pigeonholed into a category. Sure, she can fuse contemporary sounds with Latin rhythms. However, her music is much more than that. In a realm where resonance so often dazzles for its own sake, Caldera is deliberate with her song structures and graceful minimalism. Her stunning, powerful voice sidesteps getting lost in translation. In fact, there's so much expression that the language barrier doesn't enter the equation. Her sound is joyful, exciting and beautiful. If you need a primer, take a listen to her latest project, Alma Libre. Every second has been thought through. It is inventive, engaging and everything that proper "pop" music should be. If you have never seen her live on stage, now is the time.

Don't Miss: SLC's New Orleans-style jazz sextet, Flamingo. They will no doubt have you crooning along with genre standards. And be sure to see Fezmaster as he navigates all the plinky bleeps and bloops of his improvisational and one-of-a-kind approach to all things electronica and trombone.

Festivals are a great reminder that life exists outside of your mobile phone. Stop looking at your phone and go touch grass or something.

For more information about the festival, go to UAF.org.