As the sun set over Gainesville, amplifiers activated and UF students gathered on the Reitz Union North Lawn, bringing blankets and friends to midweek reset: live music.
Hosted by Student Government Productions and Swamp Records, “Live from the Lawn” brought a mini music festival to campus Wednesday evening. The lineup featured five local Gainesville artists: Alex Willow, Paul’s Ribs, Sigs Inside, Dogs Can Wear Hats and Noise Next Door.
Hundreds of students made their way to the lawn throughout the night. Lines formed for painted vinyls and cups of coffee, chai tea and apple cider. Behind rows of picnic blankets, some students tossed footballs and performed live-action role play. Others admired the music while playing cards and doing homework, appreciating the casual atmosphere.
Clubs took advantage of the turnout by tabling on the lawn. Strike Magazine had copies of its publication spread across its booth, and the Thrift Club promoted its sustainability efforts through information posters.
Addison Hall, a 19-year-old UF sustainability sophomore, came to visit the Thrift Club and was impressed by how events like Live from the Lawn bring UF students together. She said free entertainment “reminds students that school is more than just learning.”
“It's supposed to be a community where you can build connections and make memories,” she said, “and a big way to do that is through entertainment.”
Students attend Live from the Lawn at the Reitz Union Lawn on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.
The night opened with Alex Willow, an indie folk singer-songwriter and the most streamed performer of the night. Willow, a 20-year-old UF English and French senior, recently started his music journey and has been singing and playing guitar for only four years.
Willow said events like these can lift students’ spirits. Music can be physically healing, he added.
”There's very much a physical element of just hearing drums and hearing stuff like this,” he said. “Feeling movement in your body is a really important thing.”
Next, Paul’s Ribs performed, engaging students in its indie fusion music vibe. The band’s three members — Anna Poacelli, a 19-year-old UF English sophomore; Manny Modrono, a 22-year-old UF computer science senior; and Dylan Lore, a 23-year-old full-time musician — came together in August. Live from the Lawn was their first time performing in front of an audience.
For Modrono, the moment marked more than just their first show.
“It’s just been such a good year for UF and for me in general … Ending it by doing what I love means a lot,” he said.
Following Paul’s Ribs, the bands Sig Inside and Dogs Can Wear Hats gave students their interpretations of indie rock, folk, jazz and alternative sounds. Lastly, the show closed with the bass-heavy sound of Noise Next Door, a five-member group whose modern indie-alternative rock energy fueled the performance.
As the music and energy died down, audience members began to gather their belongings and disperse.
Nicholas Rotondaro, an 18-year-old UF microbiology freshman, enjoyed the show and the opportunity to make connections.
“As a college student, it's great to be able to come out here just make some friends and get to know the music scene,” he said.
Alabama Weninegar is a contributing writer for The Alligator. Contact her at aweninegar@ufl.edu.
