EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND GROW

Founded in 2022

Sounds of the Zoo is a free, multicultural music festival and grassroots movement based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Founded in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our mission was simple but powerful: to reconnect a community through music and reignite the cultural spirit that has always defined Kalamazoo.

Rooted in a city known for its rich musical heritage—home of the iconic Gibson Guitar Company, where Orville Gibson revolutionized stringed instruments in the 1890s—Kalamazoo has long been a quiet giant in the story of American music. From pioneering acoustic and electric guitars to fostering generations of musical talent, this city has rhythm in its roots.

What began as a grassroots idea has grown into a vibrant annual festival that brings together local, regional, national, and international artists for a week of live performances, workshops, industry panels, and community events across Kalamazoo. We’re more than just a music festival—we’re a platform for unity, education, empowerment, and cultural exchange.

Our vision is to create a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable music industry through the lens of the Midwest. We believe that music has the power to heal, inspire, and drive real change—and we’re committed to making that change happen right here in our community.

Sounds of the Zoo is a celebration of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going—as a city, as artists, and as a collective voice for music that matters.