[Listen to The Plainsman's podcast about TigerFest and the artists behind it on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.]
Wrapping up the first week of the fall semester, local and national acts across several different genres played music all over campus Saturday as part of Auburn's new music festival.
University Program Council hosted Tigerfest, a campus-wide music festival, all day Saturday, Aug. 21. The event started at 11 a.m. with musical acts at pop-up stages on the Campus Green, Cater Lawn and behind the call out stage of Cater Hall before ending with a concert by Make Sure and headliner Saint Motel in the Gouge Performing Arts Center.
Webster's Wheel, Venture Boi, PYTN and Hotel Fiction performed on the Aubie Stage on the Campus Green. The Student Section, Lakota, Radio Decay and Supper Club took the Bodda Getta Stage on Cater Lawn, while the Call Outs Stage featured shows from Jordan Graham, The Official Bard of Baldwin County, Zeph Embers, Phillip Vo and Happy Landing.
Caitlin Barry, junior in hospitality management and president of UPC, said this event was unique in that UPC was able to partner with local artists, GPAC, WEGL 91.1 and Student Involvement to provide a wide-ranging music experience for students to enjoy.
Lindsey Bergert, junior in nursing and assistant director of campus traditions for UPC, said that Tigerfest is a good way for students to get involved with their peers while supporting local artists and their music.
“Tigerfest is an all-day music festival with different stages set up all across campus for students to come out to enjoy the music and do fun activities with their friends,” Bergert said. “With it being the first weekend after classes started and having such nice weather throughout the day we are seeing a good turn out from students.”
Julia Fink, senior in marketing said the way the event was set up felt like a traditional music festival, which she and her friends enjoyed. She also said she felt it attracted both underclassmen and upperclassmen since it is something that has not been an option since the pandemic began.
“Getting all of these local artists together really made it feel like more of a festival experience instead of just having one band that maybe not all students would like,” Fink said.
The show at GPAC was moved from the planned outside venue to inside the building due to lightning delays. Doors opened to students at 6 p.m. followed by musical acts Make Sure at 8 p.m. and Saint Motel at 8:45 p.m.
Despite this change, Barry said that all University COVID protocols were followed to ensure the safety of students including enforced mask wearing while inside the building and social distancing when possible.
Connor Murphy, freshman in software engineering, said that Tigerfest was the first on-campus event that he had attended. Going to a music festival appealed to him and his friends more than other events.
Madeline Schlaman, freshman in elementary education, attended the concert at the GPAC as a way to connect with her peers as someone just starting college.
“I came to the concert with some people from my residence hall, so I have really enjoyed getting to see the band and meet new people at an event like this,” Schlaman said.
Barry said UPC hopes to do an event like this again and is looking to get feedback from students to create events they will enjoy.
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