BELFAST—When the grassroots-organized Free Range Music Festival hit the skids a few years ago, it wasn’t just the musicians who felt the pain; the community lost a vibrant cultural event. Enter Launchpad, a Maine arts non-profit serving young, up-and-coming Maine artists to save the day.

Without a lot of fanfare, Belfast’s Creative Coalition director Kimberly Callas reached out to Launchpad, started by Executive Director Meg Shorette to sponsor a day showcasing young musicians. As a result, an ambitious day-long music event in Belfast Saturday, May 16 called All Roads Music Festival seeks to be the pinnacle celebration of local and indie music talent from both Maine and regionally in partnership with the Belfast Creative Coalition annually.

“It’s a little bit different from the Free Range Music Festival in that we’re really looking to focus on emerging and up-and-coming musicians,” said Shorette. “Most of the artists are from Maine and what we’re doing is not just performances, but we’re offering more opportunities for musicians to hone their skills with panels and a songwriters circle.”

Shorette said the songwriters circle is modeled on an event she’d previously seen at music festivals in which a number of established musicians will get up on stage, play an original and a cover and then deconstruct their process for the audience, including the lyrics.

There will be about 20 bands including locally grown creative talent such as Lady Lamb, Spose, The Mallett Brothers Band, Spencer Albee, Tall Horse, Whale Oil and more. See the full lineup here.

Shorette, who has always worked in nonprofits, and volunteered in KahBang Music and Art festival for years, started Launchpad in 2014 as a way to support and spearhead artist-led events. “This music festival in Belfast is the biggest undertaking we’ve done so far this year,” she said. “I think younger and underexposed musicians are often overshadowed by more experienced musicians at most festivals, so this is a chance for them to really show their stuff.”

Tickets for the one day event are on sale now. A $25 VIP Passes (Admission to all festival performances and events on Saturday, May 16 including the Festival Wrap Party at 3 Tides & Marshall Wharf Brewing Company + an invitation to the Festival Opening Party on the evening of Friday, May 15) and $20 Festival Passes (Admission to all festival performances, artist lead panels and a Song Writers Circle on Saturday, May 16th. Does not include the Festival Opening or Closing Party). A limited quantity of tickets for individual performances will be available for purchase (depending on availability) at the venue box office in advance of each show. Tickets are $7 for adults, children under 5 are free. All venues are general admission.

Note: At this time VIP passes are sold out. Here’s how to get tickets.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com