On Jan. 18, AubFest hosted a pop-up event called Grounds and Sounds at Coffee Mafia, a local Auburn coffee shop. While some of these pop-up events function as fundraising opportunities to ensure AubFest can keep improving, Grounds and Sounds was geared towards fueling the DIY community surrounding AubFest. Guests could enjoy the night's festivities with a $5 donation although visitors could donate more.
Auburn is home to a large music scene. While it is still fairly underground, this music scene has expanded over the years. Beginning with students hosting gigs at their apartments, this musical movement, completely organized and run by Auburn students, has become popular for students and locals alike, allowing the scene to grow exponentially. This growth led to the creation of AubFest, a music festival for-students and by-students. While organizers get ready for the next AubFest, they have also found the time to hold pop-up events.
Coffee Mafia opened its doors at 6 p.m., with the live music starting an hour later. The coffee shop was almost immediately packed with music lovers eager to hear the artists slated to perform. Although far more people attended than expected, Coffee Mafia staff and event organizers accommodated and managed the crowd.
In addition to being a popular study location and place to hang out with friends, Coffee Mafia hosts regular events for Auburn students and locals. The owner and staff members have been pushing to hold more events at the coffee shop, so it was the perfect place for Grounds and Sounds.
The trombone player of PUULE performing at Grounds and Sounds hosted at Coffee Mafia, on January 18, 2026.
Barista, Emalyn Middleton, described Coffee Mafia's dedication to expanding operations to include regular events.
"We're doing everything in our power to have more events like this," Middleton said. "For 2025, it was mostly Coffee Mafia hosting shows, but now, we have a couple other venues. We try to have one [show] twice a month here. In early February, we're going to have another band here."
Usually, these events have mostly local bands, but Grounds and Sounds was able to have musical talent from a little farther away. The bands that performed included the Montgomery band, Püule, and Birmingham artists, Oh.pake and CJ Fagan.
The music for Grounds and Sounds was a blend of alternative tunes, including impressive original songs and some covers. More generally, AubFest is known for offering a lot variety and having talent that ranges from alternative and indie to more hardcore and punk groups, so there truly is a little bit for everyone.
In addition to the live music, there was a food truck outside, Coffee Mafia was serving drinks and there were local vendors. The vendors included an artist selling elaborate and colorful prints and paintings, a local designer selling intricately made articles of clothing and another artist selling adorable jewelry and crochet goods. It is common for local vendors to be at these musical pop-up events, demonstrating organizers' commitment to uplifting local artists.
Abby Miller, the mind behind Pinkzilla Designs, was one of the vendors selling pieces at Grounds and Sounds. Miller detailed how despite some challenges, the hard work of organizers helps local artists to expand their businesses.
"It is completely college-run, so it is run by the students and for the students, and obviously, the inexperience can cause some issues, but for the most part, I think it's a great opportunity for everyone involved," Miller said. "You can really feel the passion."
Even though Grounds and Sounds involved less planning than a big event, like AubFest, organizers still put in lots of work and passion to make the night fun for everyone in attendance and showcase artists.
The main organizer for Grounds and Sounds was the Outreach Director for Aubfest, Aiden Calderon-Wyant. Calderon-Wyant described the importance of having events like Grounds and Sounds and AubFest, as well as why these events are so special to vendors, performers and attendees.
"A lot of people go alone, they just stand and listen, and eventually, they'll end up talking to someone," Calderon-Wyant said. "People find each other, and people can find a place, so it's really cool, and [it provides] a platform for smaller artists, like performing artists and media artists. It's a good place for them to reach out, get some business and see what people like, so they can change the things they're making."
The highlight of the night was what keeps people coming back to the events hosted by AubFest organizers: the sense of community. People laughed, socialized and danced until the event simmered down. Even after the bands completed their sets around 9:30 p.m., people stuck around and continued to talk and socialize.
CJ Fagan performing at Grounds and Sounds hosted at Coffee Mafia, on January 18, 2026.
The music scene in Auburn not only builds community and uplifts artists, it also provides a safe space for people to let lose and express themselves. The environment at events like Grounds and Sounds is incredibly warm and welcoming. The few times that there have been issues, organizers have taken swift action to ensure the environment stays safe and positive.
The dedication of organizers to ensure a positive experience for attendees and the kindness of attendees has helped the community to grow and retain new members. While the AubFest community is mostly comprised of Auburn students, it is very common for recent graduates, still in the area, to continue to attend events. Even people that have finished their time at Auburn and have moved away have come back to the area just to go to events put on by AubFest.
Jabir McMillian, a 2021 Auburn graduate and Foley-native working in the area, described how the fun environment, great music and diverse crowd at events like AubFest and Grounds and Sounds keeps people like him coming back for more.
"I felt like with this being one of the first AubFest events of the year, the vibes would be amazing, and I'm very glad to be correct," McMillian said. "It's really important because when I was going to school at Auburn, especially my early years, there wasn't a lot of events with widespread representation."
This sentiment was shared by Sally Spearman, an AubFest team member and volunteer coordinator working the event.
"So many events are catered towards Greek Life, so it's nice having this thing that's for people that may not fit in as much with the Greek life crowd," Spearman said. "I think having just a place to go where people can be themselves and not feel judged and feel safe to dance and meet new people and just chill and listen to music — I think that it really is something for everyone."
Spearman also described how she sees AubFest events evolving in the future.
"I think it's continuing to grow but also keeping its magic, which is really important, and I think it will continue to grow and continue being a safe space for queer people," Spearmain said.
For those seeking out more events like Grounds and Sounds, AubFest hosts one to two events a month with upcoming events including a Valentine's Day rave and another Grounds and Sounds. Although exact dates for these events haven't been set in stone, organizers are already at work researching venues and reaching out to potential performers.
Updates and more information can be found on AubFest's Instagram account, @aubfest_alabama.
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