Music has a powerful way of bringing people together, and one Austin festival is using that connection to start an important conversation about mental health.
MeadowFest, whose tagline is “Music for Mental Health,” returns to Austin August 29, bringing live music, mental health resources and community together in memory of Meadow Goodman.
Founder Greg Goodman and performing artist Jon Muq joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share the story behind the festival, the importance of its mission and what audiences can expect this year.
Founder Greg Goodman and performing artist Jon Muq joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to share the story behind the festival, the importance of its mission and what audiences can expect this year.
For Goodman, the story of MeadowFest is deeply personal. The festival was created in memory of his daughter, Meadow, who died in August 2023 after struggling with mental illness.
“The story of MeadowFest is the story of my daughter, Meadow, who my family sadly lost in August of 2023,” Goodman said. “She took her own life after suffering from mental illness for about a year.”
“The story of MeadowFest is the story of my daughter, Meadow, who my family sadly lost in August of 2023,” Goodman said. “She took her own life after suffering from mental illness for about a year.”
The loss devastated Goodman’s family, but he wanted to turn that tragedy into something that could help others.
The loss devastated Goodman’s family, but he wanted to turn that tragedy into something that could help others.
“Obviously that can devastate a family and it can devastate a community,” Goodman said. “And what we think MeadowFest represents is support for the community in the wake of a tragedy, which I just don’t want to just be a tragedy.”
That mission is at the heart of the festival.
“We think that the festival can help people through music, check in on each other and make sure that we’re all doing okay, because we all are challenged every day with our mental health,” Goodman said.
This year’s festival will feature performances from artists from Austin and beyond, along with mental health organizations providing information and resources to attendees.
“There’s going to be nonprofit tabling happening on site with different mental health organizations,” Goodman said. “And there’s, of course, incredible musicians and acts from around the country.”
The festival has also expanded its lineup beyond Austin this year, bringing in national acts while continuing to spotlight local talent, including Muq.
MeadowFest, whose tagline is “Music for Mental Health,” returns to Austin August 29, bringing live music, mental health resources and community together in memory of Meadow Goodman.
For Muq, performing at MeadowFest is especially meaningful because mental health has personally impacted his own life.
“When I came to move to Austin, Texas, in 2018, I lost a friend who had mental health. He took away his life,” Muq said. “But since I came from Uganda, where people are not aware, people just live present life, I didn’t really know what was going on.”
Now, years later, Muq says being able to perform for a cause centered around mental health means a great deal to him.
Now, years later, Muq says being able to perform for a cause centered around mental health means a great deal to him.
“After all these years, me playing at such a wonderful cause, I’m like, this means a lot,” he said. “If you celebrate people and it keeps our minds in check and supporting each other to remind ourselves the challenges we pass through is through mental health, so I’m really excited to be part of this.”
Muq is an Austin-based singer-songwriter whose music draws from his experiences and influences. He currently has one album, which he made with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, and has recently finished a second album.
“When I came to move to Austin, Texas, in 2018, I lost a friend who had mental health. He took away his life,” Muq said. “But since I came from Uganda, where people are not aware, people just live present life, I didn’t really know what was going on.”
“My music, I do singer-songwriter genre,” Muq said. “I just have one album out that I made with Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys and just finished a second album, and I’ve just been making music and supporting other musicians.”
For those attending MeadowFest, Goodman says the event is designed to be both a celebration and a place where people can connect with resources.
For Goodman and his family, MeadowFest has also become an important part of keeping Meadow’s memory alive and finding meaning in their loss. Courtesy of ADAL RIVAS
The festival will take place at Radio/East, with two stages and performances running from 5 p.m. through midnight. Attendees can also expect food vendors, drinks and shaded areas throughout the venue.
“It’s really my favorite,” Goodman said of Radio/East. “It’ll be on two stages. The doors open at five. The event is going all the way to midnight, maybe past midnight a little bit. There’ll be food vendors. Obviously there’ll be drinks.”
“We’re going to be giving out 500 of these mental health wellness kits,” Goodman said. “From 988 hotline information to any of the sponsored mental health organizations will have their materials in there so that people know that they’re not alone and they have the support there.” Courtesy of ADAL RIVAS
One of the most important parts of the festival will happen off the stage, with mental health organizations on-site and wellness resources available to attendees.
“We’re going to be giving out 500 of these mental health wellness kits,” Goodman said. “From 988 hotline information to any of the sponsored mental health organizations will have their materials in there so that people know that they’re not alone and they have the support there.”
Ultimately, Goodman says the goal is to give people a chance to come together, enjoy music and feel connected — while also knowing that help is available.
“I think the event itself is just everyone gathering to enjoy a day of music and really kind of forget about all the stuff that they’re dealing with from the day to day is really the point,” he said.
For Goodman and his family, MeadowFest has also become an important part of keeping Meadow’s memory alive and finding meaning in their loss.
“Knowing that we have the potential of being able to help other people avoid a lot of what we’ve dealt with, I think is very important to us,” Goodman said.
For those attending MeadowFest, Goodman says the event is designed to be both a celebration and a place where people can connect with resources. Courtesy of ADAL RIVAS
“Doing this in my daughter’s memory is something that is very meaningful,” he added. “Knowing that we could have the potential to save lives as a result is going to carry us forward.”
MeadowFest takes place August 29 at Radio/East in Austin. The festival brings together live music, mental health organizations and community resources for a day centered around connection, awareness and support.
For tickets and more information, visit megfoundation.com/meadowfest.
For tickets and more information, visit the MeadowFest website and follow the festival on social media.