The sun is beaming and fog machines begin to fill the stage. Advertising senior Brooke Michelle grabs her guitar as a spotlight shines over her and her band.
But Michelle isn’t performing on just any old stage. Instead, Michelle and her band are performing in front of the UT Tower.
“This was a great experience, and it’s what I’m going to remember forever,” Michelle said.
Michelle and other UT musicians were invited to perform on the Main Mall stage Saturday as part of Campus Events + Entertainment’s annual Forty Acres Fest, a free celebration held at the end of every spring semester.
E+E membership officer Leo Flores said he and other officers worked hard to transform the space into a live music venue and make this day of free food, face-painting and carnival games possible.
“We’ve been setting (this) up since the beginning of the year,” accounting freshman Flores said. “I was actually here last year as a student visiting from high school, and I got to see (the festival) and I got to learn a bit about (E+E), and I wanted to join it.”
As part of the annual tradition, E+E’s Headliners Committee brought a major artist to close out the night with a free concert. But before rapper ASAP Ferg took the stage, Michelle and other UT musicians were given a chance to show off their musical talents.
In addition to covers of popular hits, Michelle performed one original song as part of her 25-minute set. “Villain,” Michelle said, is based on her own personal experiences and relationships.
“It’s about a heartbreak,” she said. “When relationships end, it’s always difficult, no matter the circumstance, but I think it’s even harder when there’s not really someone to blame. It just didn’t really work out and got me thinking about how there’s no villain (in) some situations.”
Michelle said being able to perform her original music in front of the Tower is a great way to close out her college career ahead of her May graduation.
“I only have a month left of school and being a Longhorn, but this was a great experience and it’s one I’m going to remember forever,” Michelle said.
While Michelle aims to close out her music career on the Forty Acres, government and economics sophomore Camille Stites said she and her band are just getting started.
“This is our third gig together,” Stites said. “Having our third gig at a place like this is just so incredible for visibility.”
Stites said she learned about Forty Acres Fest when she saw her friend Nate and his band, Nate and the Moonband, perform during her freshman year.
After taking home the trophy at E+E’s Battle of the Bands the week before spring break, Stites and her band earned the closing spot at the Forty Acres Fest day show.
“We’re really getting our name out there, and it’s just a step up to this whole life we’re trying to build,” Stites said.
