Volapalooza 2016 brings variety, ambiance
Volapalooza returned to World’s Fair Park to host their 14th annual event on Friday, April 29.
Moon Taxi performs at Volapalooza 2016. //Photo by Taylor Owens
UT students were invited to celebrate the last day of classes on Friday, April 29 at the 2016 Volapalooza festival in World’s Fair Park.
They announced their lineup to mostly positive reviews at February’s Vol Night Long and have been promoting this year’s lineup as their “biggest yet.”
This year’s festival included music from Portugal. The Man, Moon Taxi and Niykee Heaton among others.
Even those who had never heard of the artists before said they were able to find enjoyment in the lineup.
“I wasn’t too familiar with any of the bands before Volapalooza, so really I came tonight with open ears to hear what these people were all about,” Alana Cooper, a sophomore at UT, said. “My favorite act was definitely Moon Taxi.”
This year’s Volapalooza also featured some lesser-known acts, including some local artists. Roots of a Rebellion, a Nashville band and this year’s winners of the Road to Roo contest, were the first group to kick off the night with their blend of reggae and rock.
“I really liked Roots of a Rebellion,” sophomore Mika Carr said. “I thought they had great audience engagement.”
Volapalooza also featured food trucks from various local vendors, as well as activities such as airbrushed tattoos and a station to make bracelets. Attendees were also encouraged to take photos with the Iron Throne from HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
Guests could dance to live music by the artists or take part in the silent headphone disco. Everyone listened to different songs in their headphones and were encouraged to dance along.
“The silent disco was pretty awesome,” Carr said. “It was a different community. We all kind of came together and danced and didn’t care if we couldn’t dance.”
Students felt that event was a good way to celebrate the last day of classes before final’s week.
“I really liked the atmosphere and set up and having food trucks, activities and things to do,” Cooper said. “The awesome weather complemented the laid back attitude of the whole evening.”
For more information about Volapalooza, visit their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Photos by Taylor Owens
Edited by Nathan Odom
Arts and culture editor, Taylor Owens, recognized her passion for writing at a young age. As an avid talk show fan, Owens found journalism to be the perfect way to combine her love for interviewing and writing. She is now a sophomore at the University of Tennessee majoring in journalism and electronic media. When she isn’t writing for the Tennessee Journalist, Owens is most likely catching up on the latest reality television show.
