Fall, football and family weekend — with a little bit of music on top.
Family weekend’s “Fall Fest” ended on a musical note Friday night as students and their families gathered in Circle Park to enjoy a concert of some of Knoxville’s own musicians. Local bands Subtle Clutch and Crab Apple Lane showcased their talents and gave their audience a little taste of the Rocky Top concert experience.
Subtle Clutch started the concert off with their Americana sound, and the crowd expressed their enjoyment by clapping to the beat of the music. Many students appreciated the band’s refreshing sound and enjoyed their stage presence, including freshman in psychology Kaelyn Barker.
“Coming from West Tennessee, the Knoxville music scene is something new to me, but I like this band a lot,” she said. “They’re really inviting to the crowd.”
The band played a variety of their original songs often inspired by girls. They also demonstrated their versatility as musicians with a Cage the Elephant cover.
David Krispin, a freshman in material science, said this versatility, combined with the band’s stage presence, was the reason they connected so well with the audience.
“This is something the whole family can enjoy, from UT parents to little brothers and sisters,” he said. “(The band) is interactive, and it’s just good music in general.”
Volapalooza 2014 alumni Crab Apple Lane followed Subtle Clutch, greeting the audience with the energy of their upbeat, Southern rock sound. Lead singer Deena Robbins told the audience to “feel free to get down” as the band took the stage.
Parker Tooley, sophomore in computer science, said that the band’s enthusiasm and buoyant performance is what made them a good choice for the family weekend concert.
“I saw them at Volapalooza last year, and they were really good,” said Tooley. “They have an energy that makes them a really great live band.”
The country rock group played several original songs, as well as a cover of Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.”
UT families had a chance not only to hear from Knoxville musicians, but to relax and experience Big Orange Country. Tooley commented on how the concert was a good event for students to catch their parents up on their first few weeks of school.
“This is just a good time for students to hang out and talk to their family,” he said. “It’s nice that the event was so laid back.”
Overall, the concert gave UT the chance to show students and parents what Knoxville has to offer. For Hannah Katherine Ellis, director of publicity for the Campus Entertainment Board, this is what makes the “Fall Fest” concert so important.
“This event opens up the parents’ eyes to see how diverse UT’s community is,” Ellis, junior in child and family studies, said. “It shows how college can be so much more than one may think.”
