CLOSEUMS holds strongUMS was the first DIY music festival to blast into the Baker neighborhood, founded in 2001 by then-Denver Post reporters John Moore and Ricardo Baca. The two started a concert highlighting local bands, featured in a yearly poll for the best Denver underground artists. Denver musicians Mike Young and Gillian Pasley announced the entirely artist-run festival in February, right after UMS announced it was moving. Then, UMS announced its return, keeping its same date slot, leading to the weekend showdown. We felt like this was one great weekend of live, local music all year round.