JAMBALOO brings free concerts to independent venues across Dallas and Fort Worth, pairing local musicians with emerging national and international acts. Mullen & Mullen Injury Law provides the festival’s primary financial support, allowing audiences to attend without paying for tickets while artists are paid.
The project began as a concert series in 2024. Its first festival took place in February 2025, and co-founder and organizer Corey Pond said its third year is planned for February 2027.
Why the firm funds the festival
Pond and Joe Morrison had spent more than 15 years attending shows together. They saw local artists struggling to gain attention and venues facing difficulties after COVID. Austin’s Free Week provided the initial model for JAMBALOO, Pond said.
Pond said Mullen & Mullen has operated in Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 40 years and has supported the community in other ways. Morrison said he, Pond and Shane wanted to be personally involved in supporting the music scene. The organizers work with local promoters, production teams and experienced venues on planning and safety.
Free entry and wider support
According to Pond, removing ticket prices makes it easier for audiences to try unfamiliar acts and attend shows they might otherwise be unable to afford. He said venues reported substantial sales increases during each of the festival’s first two years compared with the same week a year earlier.
JAMBALOO’s activities also include an annual $20,000 album prize, venue funding, arts education, musicians’ mental health initiatives and local music journalism. Pond said the project now operates throughout the year, including a weekly magazine and social media activity.
