2012 Sundance Film Festival Music Program

What was once a festival dedicated to just film, is now an event that celebrates every aspect of the artistic process.

This year at the Sundance Film Festival, the spotlight has been set on the annual event's Music Program. With a reputation that has been built on past performances from the likes of Lou Reed and Lyle Lovett to once prospective talents like St. Vincent and The Civil Wars, this year's Program will no doubt be a highlight of the festival.

The Music Program will be separated into two different events. First, musicians will play their casual acoustic sets at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café -- a venue that holds daily live performances by emerging and established artists. Secondly, a slate of scheduled music events will take place at the Sundance House, where artists and fans will get to interact through live performances and discussions.

Sundance ASCAP Music Café

With performances from artists all across the musical spectrum, the Sundance ASCAP Music Café is an event that will extend through the length of the festival. This year's Café will feature artists that include David Grey, Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Kelley, and James McCartney, among others. And for the first time, ASCAP has decided to hold Night Sessions -- a special segment that will provide a much more intimate setting for audiences. According to Sundance.org, Jan 23 will be a special date at the Café as Ronit Kirchman, Lili Haydn, and David Poe are scheduled to play deep into the night. The ASCAP Music Cafe is open to all Festival credential holders.

A Celebration of Music in Film

One of the most anticipated events of the Festival, the Celebration of Music in Film will feature a never-before-seen collaborative effort featuring three legends in the music industry: Ice-T, Chuck D and Grandmaster Caz, who will be talking, rapping, discussing their process, and also performing, according to Peter Golub, director of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program and the composer of festival entry Black Rock. The event, which will be held at Sundance House, will consist of a live performance, a roundtable discussion with the artists, as well as a Q&A session open to the public. For those who cannot make it to Sundance, the Celebration of Music in Film will broadcast live on the Sundance Web site on Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. EST.

Another way to enjoy the music at Sundance is by seeing some movies. This year's films include scores by some of the most reputable composers in the industry. Noteworthy names like Cliff Martinez (Arbitrage), Philp Glass (Elena), T. Bone Burnett and The Civil Wars (Finding North), Moby (Escape Fire), and timeless indie rock favorites Yo La Tengo (Smashed) all make their mark on a list of credits.

So whether it's for a live performance, a discussion of the creative musical process, or to celebrate the music by seeing a film, be sure to not miss out on these exceptional listening experiences at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.