The Daily Gamecock

Local bands rock out in Five Points

Five Points is one of the most popular social spots in Columbia, drawing students in for food, drinks and occasionally live music events. One of these events is Five After Five, a free monthly concert series from April to October hosted by the Five Points Association. On the fourth Thursday of each month, locals gather around the fountain in Five Points to enjoy live music, food vendors and local brews. The event typically lasts from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Five Points hosted its sixth concert in the seven-month series on Thursday. The line-up this month featured Glass Mansions and Stop Light Observations. Stop Light Observations is a band self-characterized as “southern retro electro rock with mixed classic, revival, psychedelic, garage and arena rock influences and indie, motown, hip-hop and folk flares.” They performed songs from their debut studio album “Radiation,” and songs from their recent album release “Toogoodoo.”

A.O. Westley, a third year exercise science student, said that his favorite part of the event is the live music.

“I think it’s really great exposure for a lot of local bands,” Westley said. “A lot of local bands are really great and this is [people’s] opportunity to come out and see that.”

In addition to enjoying live music, guests could purchase food and beer from different food trucks parked at the event. Casey’s Big Dawg BBQ Barkmobile offered classic southern barbecue and other smoked foods. Brain Freeze Italian Ice and Poultry in Motion were two other trucks present.

Hope Roberts, an intern at the Five Points Association, helped organize the event. She is a fourth-year marketing and business management student.

“I think it’s a great way to all come together and just hang out and have a good time,” Roberts said. “It gives USC students and the community to be able to come and appreciate the city a little bit more.”

For those who have missed the previous Five After Five events, there is one last chance in the final event of this year's series that will take place next month, on Oct. 27.


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