The Sounds of North Texas Take Center Stage at Made in Denton Music Festival

On April 17 and 18, Dan’s Silverleaf will host Made in Denton, an annual two-day music event that brings together six acts representing the area’s sonic soul. Friday night features Denton-based powerhouses Kody West, Tyler Bond and Wade Bagley. Saturday night keeps the momentum going with Lady Winters, longtime Dallas favorite Matt Hillyer and Fort Worth’s Tejas Brothers.

It’s a vital celebration of the local live music community, powered by the Denton Festival Foundation. If you want to experience the true artistic pulse of North Texas, this is where you need to be.

A Foundation Built on Local Art

The Denton Festival Foundation has long been a pillar of the local arts scene. The organization is the driving force behind the beloved Denton Arts & Jazz Festival. Recently, it made headlines when it was announced that the festival would move from Quakertown Park to the North Texas Fairgrounds in September. A lack of city support left board members scrambling, but their determination to keep the annual community event free and alive won out.

Made in Denton represents a different, equally passionate venture for the non-profit organization. According to Kevin Lechler, the foundation’s executive director, the event was born out of necessity. When the pandemic halted the traditional Arts & Jazz Festival, the organizers pivoted to a livestream event in the spring. The digital showcase went over incredibly well, as it resonated deeply with audiences craving connection at the time. The foundation decided to bring it back and establish it as an independent entity the following year, with a new lineup every year since.

“The original idea was art, and we also produce the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, which is kind of a broader scope,” Lechler explains to the Observer. 

By shifting the lens to Made in Denton, they focused strictly on local talent, giving DFW artists a dedicated platform to shine. Every ticket purchase goes directly back to the non-profit, ensuring they can continue celebrating community art for years to come.

Friday Night: Kody West Brings It Home

Friday’s lineup leans heavily into the spirit of Denton. Headlining the evening is Kody West, a musician whose gritty, heartfelt songwriting has earned him a devoted following well beyond city limits. For West, playing in his hometown means everything. Having the University of North Texas and its massive music school nearby gave him the venues and platforms necessary to cut his teeth. He firmly believes that if he had grown up as a musician in another state, he would not have seen nearly the same opportunities.

“I want to be known as a guy from Denton and a band from Denton,” West says. “Anything that has to do with Denton, I am going to be the biggest supporter of.”

Fans heading up from Dallas can expect something highly unique from his set. West plans to perform a special acoustic version of his song “Locust St.” as a direct homage to downtown Denton. He’ll be joined on Friday by fellow Denton-based artists Tyler Bond and Wade Bagley. Expect a night of authentic, guitar-driven storytelling that honors the roots of Texas music.

Saturday Night: Lady Winters and Processing Through Song

Saturday shifts gears, bringing a mix of sounds to the legendary Silverleaf stage. Lady Winters, an artist who has quickly become a beloved fixture in the local scene, will grace the stage with her deeply personal blend of music.

She moved to Denton in 2020 and quickly immersed herself in the community. She frequented now-closed local spots like Killer’s Tacos and Andy’s Bar, absorbing the town’s energy. She credits local music scene fixtures like Charlie DeBolt for taking a chance on her and helping her launch her music career. By day, Winters works in mental health. By night, music becomes her sanctuary.

“It is my way of letting go and processing all of those heavy emotions, all of those heavy experiences in a way where I’m refilling my cup,” she says.

Performing at Made in Denton holds a special place in her heart.

“[I was] just genuinely honored when I got the call,” she says. “Dan’s is my favorite venue on the [Denton Downtown Square]. It literally feels like home.”

Dallas Meets Denton: Matt Hillyer Steps Up

You do not have to be a Denton resident to appreciate the magic of the city. Dallas-based Matt Hillyer, playing Saturday night, considers Denton a “little mini-Austin” and has fond memories of playing house parties there during his high school years. Like Lady Winters, he counts Dan’s Silverleaf as one of his all-time favorite places to perform. Hillyer is bringing a fresh twist — and his grand sense of humor — to his performance this weekend. Instead of his usual arrangement, he’s trying out a trio setup.

“It’ll be a lot of the songs that I’ve already been doing, but it’s kind of exciting for me because anytime I knuckle down and decide to do a trio, it means I’m gonna have to do a lot more guitar playing,” Hillyer explains. “For me, it’s a little bit more of a challenge, but I like it.”

He is teaming up with veteran drummer Pete Coatney, known for his decades-long work with Jack Ingram. Hillyer is thrilled about the collaboration and eager to get back on the Silverleaf stage. Furthermore, with Fort Worth’s Tejas Brothers also on the Saturday bill, fans might just witness some spontaneous magic.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some bleed over between my set and the Tejas Brothers set because I’ve known those guys for a long time,” Hillyer tells us. “We’re really good friends with each other, but also big fans of each other’s bands. There might be some jamming between the two of us.”

Make the Drive, Support the Scene

There’s a distinct, undeniable charm to packing into a beloved room like Dan’s Silverleaf to watch local musicians pour their hearts out. Events like Made in Denton sustain the creative ecosystem that makes North Texas such a vibrant place to live.

The Denton Festival Foundation relies on ticket sales, donations and local sponsors to keep these vital community events afloat. By making the short drive north, you are investing directly in the artists and the organizers who fight to keep live music accessible and thriving.

Tickets to Made in Denton are $18. The shows start at 7:30 p.m. at Dan’s SIlverleaf (103 Industrial St., Denton) both days. More information and tickers are available online.