The Vista was alive with the sound of music as local bands performed during the Free Times' 12th annual Music Crawl Saturday.
The music event featured 37 local artists at five different bars around the Vista — two stages at Art Bar and one each at Flying Saucer, Kelly's, Tin Roof and Moda Lounge.
For $8, a $3 increase from last year, attendees were given the opportunity to enjoy a variety of genres from indie to hip-hop to country, provided that they were at least 21 years old. Wristbands, as well as maps to help locate each stage, were provided at each venue, allowing patrons access to all stages.
Kicking off the event at 7 p.m. outside Art Bar was singer Haley Dreis, who expressed her gratitude for Free Times holding the event.
"The Free Times has been very helpful in helping me make new connections with new people," Dreis said.
Joining Dreis in the lineup on the outdoor stage were kemp ridley, The Get Wets, Magnetic Flowers and Death of Paris.
"It feels really great to be part of this music community scene," said Death of Paris lead singer Jayna Doyle. "We are really grateful toward the Free Times for supporting local venues."
A change occurred this year regarding the age requirement for the outdoor stage. While attendees ages 18 and up could attend the event only at Art Bar's outdoor stage last year, the age requirement was raised this year strictly to those 21 and up.
To make sure attendees could get the most out of their money, all stages had staggering start times, with interludes in between each act lasting either 30 minutes or an hour. This made it possible for attendees to move between two stages without missing much.
Flying Saucer played host to returning country–bluegrass acts Whiskey Tango Revue and Say Brother as well as similar acts like Black Bottom Biscuits and The Black Iron Gathering. Whether attendees were there for the music or to watch the Carolina versus Arkansas football game, they were treated to enjoyable twangy ballads and country tunes as well as a performance from rock trio The Unawares.
Free Times also teamed up with Non-Stop Hip-Hop Live to hold a portion of the event at Moda Lounge, with the stage devoted entirely to hip-hop and soul. This is the first time in a while that the event devoted a stage to local hip-hop artists.
"A few years ago, they had a hip-hop stage," said fourth-year theatre student and Sweet Vans hip-hop artist Bakari Lebby, who has been performing for several years now. "Last year, they didn't."
Lebby and his bandmate Will Flourance, fourth-year mass communications student, who rap on stage as B-Money and Ginger Snap, respectively, took the stage at Moda Lounge along with other hip-hop acts Gritz, Preach, Fayth Hope and Fat Rat da Czar.
Tin Roof offered rock acts like Sea Wolf Mutiny and Casual Kings, while other local rock bands like Death Becomes Even the Maiden and The Restoration occupied the indoor stage at Art Bar. Kelly's also featured a variety of musical acts such as the funky soul of The Mobros and rock 'n' roll five-piece band Shallow Palace.
For more than a decade, the Free Times Music Crawl has found success in introducing a variety of different acts, genres and sounds that attendees are familiar with and allowing them to see plenty of acts without missing friends perform on stage.
"Personally, I love the concept of genre mixing," Lebby said.
As the night rolled on and music continued to fill the Vista, the bars only continued to fill up with attendees who wished to whet their appetite for local entertainment while they enjoyed a drink. Free Times once again held a successful Music Crawl.