Big Boi, The War on Drugs among top 2023 acts at 80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines

Though we're in the heart of December, central Iowa organizers already have their eyes turned toward summer, booking a slew of performances.

Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., in downtown Des Moines will once again host the 80/35 Music Festival, a two-day event that returns in 2023.

“From storied rock bands to legendary hip hop to acts performing in the U.S. for the first time, we’ve put together what we think is a stellar lineup of music that is sure to offer something for everyone," Mickey Davis, the executive director of the Des Moines Music Coalition and 80/35 festival director, said in a news release announcing the event. "After a successful return in 2022 after two years off due to the pandemic, we look forward to bringing the energy of Des Moines’ longest-running music festival back again in 2023.”

Though the Monday release included 20 names for the coming year, it's also noted that more bands may be announced. The currently announced names, according to Davis, will be on a variety of different stages, some free and some ticketed, which will be announced closer to the event.

For the time being, however, here's a look at what audiences can expect from 80/35 in 2023.

More:Hinterland Music Festival returns with summer dates, new performers. Tickets on sale Friday

Friday, July 7

Alternative rock band The War on Drugs is leading the line-up for the debut date of 80/35 in the coming year.

The six-member group came out of Pennsylvania and was formed by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile — the latter of whom performed at Hinterland Music Festival this past year. The War On Drugs is known for songs like "Red Eyes" and "Under the Pressure." In 2017, the band released the album "A Deeper Understanding" which went on to win a Grammy for Best Rock Album.

The War on Drugs' latest album "I Don't Live Here Anymore" was released in October of 2021.

Sudan Archives: After growing up in Cincinnati, Sudan Archives began experimenting with a variety of instruments, eventually adopting a violin style derived from Northeast Africa that she blends with R&B and electric music. Her latest album, "Natural Brown Prom Queen," was released Sept. 9. Sudan Archives previously appeared in Des Moines for the Riverview Music Festival in 2021.

Deerhoof: This alternative indie band formed in the 1990s on the west coast. What started as a duo, comprised of Greg Saunier and Rob Fisk, has since doubled its membership. The band's latest album, "Actually, You Can," was released in October 2021. The single, "My Lovely Cat" came out in September.

Ric Wilson: Existing at the intersection of R&B, hip-hop and funk is Ric Wilson, a musical artist that earned Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot's second pick for best Chicago concerts of 2019, right behind Lizzo. His latest single, "Fav Girl," was released at the end of November.

Gustaf: This Brooklyn-based post-punk band is a five-member group that released the single "Book" last year. That song was later included on the group's album, "Audio Drag for Ego Slobs" which was released in October of 2021.

House of Large Sizes: This progressive rock trio hails from Cedar Rapids and released most of their main catalog — consisting of albums like "Little Hols on the Prairie" and "Glass Cockpit" — during the '90s. The band headlined Des Moines' GDP music festival in 2013.

More:Elizabeth Moen comes back to Iowa City to celebrate new album 'Wherever You Aren't'

Elizabeth Moen: Originally hailing from Vinton, Iowa, Moen is a singer-songwriter now based out of Chicago who still books regular shows throughout the Hawkeye state. Her 2019 single, "Headgear" was submitted to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest for which it was recognized as a favorite submission. Moen previously appeared at 80/35 in 2017 and released her latest album "Wherever You Aren't" in November.

More:Off Hours: Singer/songwriter Elizabeth Moen shares her favorite places to perform in Iowa

Tayls: A feel-good band that labels its music as friendship-punk, Tayls formed out of East Nashville in the early 2010s, by roommates Taylor Cole and Greg Dorris. The band's album "Have You Ever? I've Always" was released in the summer of 2021.

Saturday, July 8

Big Boi, a famed hip-hop artist based out of Georgia, is leading the Saturday announcement for the 80/35 music festival.

He recognizable also one-half of OutKast with André 3000. The two briefly reunited in 2014 for a 40-festival tour kicked off by Coachella that year. Big Boi's latest solo album, "Boomiverse" was released in 2017, in 2019 he released the album "Big Sleepover" with fellow musician Sleepy Brown.

Cautious Clay: The voice behind hits like "Cold War" and "Wild Fire," Cautious Clay is an R&B singer originally from Ohio but now living in New York-based out of south Brooklyn. He released a deluxe edition of his 2021 album "Deadpan Love" in February.

Blu DeTiger: Based out of New York City, Blu DeTiger is a singer-songwriter who released a string of singles in 2022 including "Elevator" and "Hot Crush Lover." In 2020, she broke through on the video-sharing website TikTok with a cover of Doja Cat’s “Say So” and has continued to rise since then.

Thumpasaurus: A rock/funk band that formed on the campus of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, the group's song "Struttin'" was included on the 2021 album "Thumpaverse."

William Elliott Whitmore: An Iowa-based folk musician, Whitmore previously appeared in Des Moines this past summer to kick off the Des Moines Arts Festival concert. He released his album "I'm With You" in 2020.

Etran de L’Aïr: This desert rock band hails from Agadez in the northern portion of Niger in west Africa. Etran de L’Aïr was started in 1995 by member Aghaly Migi, who subsequently convinced his younger siblings to perform in the band with him. The group's album, "Agadez" was released in February of 2022.

Disq: Making the trip to 80/35 from Wisconsin is the alternative-rock band, Disq, formed by Isaac deBroux-Slone and Raina Bock. The group's album, "Desperately Imagining Somewhere Quiet," was released in October.

McKinley Dixon: A hip-hop artist based out of Virginia, Dixon discovered his love of music in the mid-2010s while pursuing an animation career. He released his album "For My Mama and Anyone Who Looks Like Her," in the spring of 2021.

Ax and the Hatchetmen: A seven-piece rock band out of Chicago, Ax and the Hatchetmen has tunes that also dip into folk and surf rock sounds. The band's latest single, "Utah," came out in October.

Kiss the Tiger: Having formed in Minnesota in 2016, Kiss the Tiger, is a band inspired by 70s rock music. The group performed at xBk Live in the Drake neighborhood earlier this year and released the album "Vicous Kid" in June of 2021.

Ancient Posse: A duo comprised of Steven Bergeron and Kamillah Jonaé, Ancient Posse is a Des Moines-based act with a pop sound that's been performing for eight years. The pair's latest single, "Stuck on You," was released in April. Ancient Posse performed during Hinterland 2018 as well as 80/35 in 2017, not long after the group had formed.

Emma Butterworth: The daughter of The Nadas' guitarist Mike Butterworth, Emma Butterworth is a locally-based musician who leans into a folk-music sound. Her EP "Wild Life" was released in September of 2021.

How do I get tickets for 80/35?

Tickets for this year's festival are on sale now across multiple tiers ranging from $55 to $250, though who is performing on ticketed stages and who will be on a free stage is yet to be announced.

A two-day general admission pass costs $105 while single-day general admission is priced at $65. Discounted options are available to students and seniors for the event.

A $25 add-on will also be available for seating in the Exile Lounge which includes an expanded selection of wine and beers.

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This year's announcement also notes a new "pay-it-forward ticket fund." Those who purchase tickets can opt to add $10 to their purchase to go toward providing a free ticket to a participant in DMMC's youth music education program or someone else who might otherwise not have been able to attend.

Tickets and more information about the event can be found at 80-35.com.

Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 80/35 music festival announces 2023 lineup, tickets on sale now