35 Denton

The Flaming Lips performing a free show during NX35 2010

35 Denton (formerly NX35 and 35 Conferette) is an annual 4-day music festival that takes place in the burgeoning corridor of downtown Denton, TX. The festival is programmed each March the week prior to the music portion of SXSW in Austin, TX.

35 Denton is organized by a core staff of volunteers. The music festival has featured many nationally-touring acts, such as The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Local Natives, Portugal. The Man, The Flaming Lips, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Mountain Goats, Bun B, Devin the Dude, Dr. Dog, Big Boi, Reggie Watts, The Civil Wars, Best Coast, Danny Brown, A Place to Bury Strangers, and more. Likewise, it also has a roster of notable local acts, such as Neon Indian, Midlake, Sarah Jaffe, Brave Combo, Riverboat Gamblers, Seryn, and more.

History

2005 – 2008: The Austin Years During SXSW 2005, festival founder Chris Flemmons planted the seeds of 35 Denton in the soil of Big Red Sun, a floral design boutique in Austin. Thirteen Denton acts performed on a stage in the business’s outdoor garden for an invite-only crowd of international journalists and industry types. The beer was free, the Tex-Mex was homemade, and the goal was uncomplicated: Show the world what Denton’s all about. Flemmons called the event NX35: The Afternoon Party of the Other, Smaller, Music Town in Texas. In 2006, it took place at Club DeVille, and in 2007 and 2008, the party moved to Momo’s. Some notable performers from the event’s years in Austin include Centro-matic’s Will Johnson, Midlake, Sarah Jaffe, and the Baptist Generals.

2009–Present: The Denton Years In 2009, after four years in Austin, Flemmons and a small staff of volunteers brought the day party home and turned it into a multi-day festival. The goal of showcasing Denton’s performers and people did not change, but the name did: NX35 Music Conferette, which opened with a keynote address led by American Splendor creator Harvey Pekar.^[1] Before the inaugural festival ended, more than 4000 people had watched over 120 acts play on the stages of Denton’s numerous clubs and coffeeshops. In 2010, more than 250 acts performed on and around Denton’s downtown square – to an estimated audience of 20,000 people. The event began with keynote speaker Steve Albini and featured a now legendary free Saturday night performance by the Flaming Lips and Denton’s own Midlake at the North Texas Fairgrounds. Other notable performers from this era include Neon Indian, Centro-matic, Health, The Black Angels, The Baptist Generals, Brave Combo, Sarah Jaffe, Monotonix, Riverboat Gamblers, and True Widow.

NX35 2009 Banner with Logo

In 2011, after some friendly encouragement, the festival changed its name once more: 35 Conferette. The name wasn’t the only big change, as the fest expanded into the streets of downtown Denton with the addition of three outdoor stages, one of which was on the courthouse lawn. Thousands gathered. Hundreds performed, including a growing roster of national talent like Big Boi, Mavis Staples, Dr. Dog, Reggie Watts, Japanther, and Damien Jurado. In the months that followed, 35 Conferette was named Best Promotional Event of 2011 by the Texas Downtown Association – and festival founder Chris Flemmons handed the event’s future to a new leadership staff led by Creative Director Kyle La Valley and Programming Director, Natalie Dávila. Many changes occurred, including the new name "35 Denton", which became finalized in Fall 2011.

In 2012, 35 Denton was headlined by The Jesus and Mary Chain – though they performed a few days later than anticipated. After visa issues prevented their Saturday night appearance, the band played the following Wednesday at the North Texas Fairgrounds, with Ty Segall as an opening act. Other notable 2012 acts included Built to Spill, Bun B, The Raincoats, OM, Best Coast, Thee Oh Sees, and Dum Dum Girls.

In 2013, 35 Denton featured performances by Solange, Sleep, Roky Erickson, Com Truise, Silver Apples, Killer Mike, Thee Oh Sees, Akron/Family, Man Man, Mikal Cronin, Mac DeMarco, Beach Fossils, Reigning Sound, Marnie Stern, Soul Clap, and the live Texas debut of Thurston Moore's side-project Chelsea Light Moving.

In fall 2013, it was announced that La Valley would resign and the festival would not occur in 2014. Flemmons filled her position, and it was announced that many changes would be made. 35 Denton 2015 will occur on March 13–15.

Lineups By Year

35 Conferette 2011 Performing Artists 2011