The Davis Live Music Collective / Davis Music Fest family is stunned and heartbroken by the death of our board president, leader, and dear friend Matthew Blake.

Matt died unexpectedly of a sudden illness in February 2023. It is difficult to summarize Matt’s contributions to our organization because he was an integral part of all of it. Setting meeting agendas (and actually sticking to them), listening to volunteer and fan feedback and implementing change, discovering bands and pitching our next show, then booking and running that show from permitting to cleanup… he was often the last to leave. One of his favorite aspects of event production was running hospitality for artists at Davis Music Fest, including slinging sausages for the last BBQ meal on Sunday afternoons. He did it all humbly and with pure enjoyment that was evident to anyone nearby. The guy loved what he did and everyone involved.

More importantly, Matt was a loving and engaged father, husband, brother, mentor, and friend just as endearing and funny as he was smart – which is to say, extremely and effortlessly. Matt made things better wherever he went, and leaves a void in our lives the breadth and depth of which we will never really know.

Our thoughts are first and foremost with his wife and their two daughters to whom we pledge unending support. We encourage you to join us by contributing as you are able to their higher education GoFundMe campaign.

We miss you, Matt, and thank you always. Rest in Peace.