More music. More mission. Amplify is on.

Amplify returns with a fresh format and familiar heart

By Michael J. Pallerino

There’s something special about music echoing through a neighborhood. The kind of music that seeps out of local pubs and onto brick sidewalks, winding its way past retailers, diners and bookstores, and soaking into the rhythm of a community. It’s that sound, that feeling, that the Amplify Decatur Music Festival is chasing again this year.

But this year, they’re doing it a little differently. “Saturday’s festival is completely free,” says Christine Mahin, co-Board chair and Festival Director, and VP at Lenz, Inc. “That’s a first for us. We’re usually a ticketed event, but this felt like the right time to try something new—for the community and the festival.”

That newness doesn’t stop at the gate (or lack thereof). In a move partly driven by the Decatur Square Renovation, Amplify is moving its main stage from the MARTA Plaza to the community bandstand. “This gives us a chance to reimagine the experience for attendees,” Mahin says. “It’s about keeping things fresh and accessible.”

If there’s one constant, it’s Amplify’s soul. The festival is still rooted in the belief that music can bring people together for a purpose far greater than the notes played on stage. Started in 2010, Amplify My Community was born out of a simple idea: host great concerts, give away every dollar raised, and support local nonprofits tackling homelessness and poverty. To date, the event has donated more than $625,000—over $385,000 of that to Decatur organizations alone.

This year, all proceeds go to longtime partners Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) and the Decatur Education Foundation. “They are why we exist,” says Drew Robinson, Amplify co-Board Chair and Senior VP at Newmark. “They’re the ones doing the real work—giving families a shot at a better life. We just try to support them however we can.”

Take the recovery effort after a devastating flood at Hagar’s House, DeKalb County’s only family emergency shelter, which is run by DCM. “The roof caved in and families were displaced,” recalls Mike Killeen, Amplify founder, and President and CEO of Lenz Inc. “It was heartbreaking. “The community rallied, and we were fortunate to help fund part of the repairs. They just announced they’re reopening. That’s the kind of impact we live for.”

And if you’re living for Amplify, you’re living for the music. This year’s lineup brings a mix of familiar faces and new energy. Festival headliners The Last Waltz Ensemble deliver an ode to the music of Bob Dylan and The Band—a timely nod to the cultural resurgence surrounding Dylan’s story. “It just felt right,” Killeen says. “With the [recent] Dylan biopic, there’s this renewed appreciation. The Last Waltz Ensemble captures that spirit. Plus, it’s music that brings people of all backgrounds together.”

Also on tap (see our Your Guide to Amplify) is The Core, a tribute band honoring the HORDE Festivals of the 1990s at the Avon Theater (formerly Avondale Town Cinema) on Friday; and The Bad Bitches of Country tribute on Sunday night at Eddie’s Attic. In addition, Buffalo, featuring students from Decatur High School and other local-area schools, will blow out some high-energy rock classics on Friday night before The Core; while Hope for Agoldensummer, Andrew Holley, Eric Toledo of Quiet Hounds and Polly Holliday will join The Last Waltz on Saturday.

One of the highlights of Amplify is the series of pop-up performances scattered throughout downtown Decatur on Saturday. “These pop-ups are our little gems,” Mahin says. “Some of our favorite moments come from those intimate sets at places like The Marlay House and Brick Store Pub. They really kick off the weekend in a magical way. “We love our local business partners. They sponsor, they host, they pour their hearts into this. We wouldn’t be Amplify without them.”

As April 25–27 approaches, the sound of Amplify won’t just be music—it’ll be laughter on the square, foot-tapping in restaurants and conversations sparked by shared purpose. In Decatur, the village is still showing up for the song and the mission. And the soundtrack? It’s never sounded better.

As Robinson says, “More music. More awareness. More good.”

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For more information on the 2025 Amplify Decatur Music Festival, visit AmplifyDecatur.org

Decatur presents…a thanks for our sponsors

Amplify is made possible through the dedication and passion of our local sponsors, including: