The Avenue: Music - The Independent Florida Alligator

Robbie Kingsley, lead singer of The Hails, performing their hit song “Younger” for Gainesville fans at Playground Music Festival at Heartwood Soundstage Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

The Avenue

More than a thousand fans jam out at Playground Music and Arts Festival

By Isabella Marzban and Erina Anwar | Aug. 29, 2022

More than 1,000 people from across the state flocked to a small Gainesville venue in the sticky summer heat Saturday, headbanging and jumping up and down to local indie acts. Thirteen bands played back-to-back sets at the Playground Music and Arts Festival. The festival was hosted by Heartwood Soundstage as a kick-off to indie rock band flipturn’s debut album, “Shadowglow."

A graphic inspired by Flipturn's debut album SHADOWGLOW.

The Avenue

Flipturn releases debut album “Shadowglow” before headlining their own Gainesville festival

By Lauren Brensel | Aug. 26, 2022

“Orbit” is the final song of the 14-track album, born from the minds of band members Devon Vonbalson, Dillon Basse, Madeline Jarman, Tristan Duncan and Mitch Fountain. After much anticipation and a collection of five EPs, “Shadowglow” joined the band’s discography Aug. 19.

Knifest brought more than 15 punk and metal bands to The Wooly Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

The Avenue

More than the music: Knifest offers inclusive environment for artists from across the country

By Averi Kremposky | July 25, 2022

Under hues of red, green and blue, Knifepunch Records turned the Main Street banquet hall into a punk sanctuary.

Savants of Soul perform at Heartwood Sound Friday, July 8 2022.

The Avenue

The Savants of Soul hit the road again after energetic performance at Heartwood Soundstage

By Kristine Villarroel | July 18, 2022

Three years after last going on tour, the Savants of Soul kicked off their Florida tour with a lively performance among dozens of fans.

High Dive hosted the Gainesville Girls Rock Camp showcase Saturday, July 16, 2022.

The Avenue

Gainesville venues continue post-pandemic recovery amid Independent Venue Week

By Heather Bushman | July 18, 2022

Independent Venue Week highlighted Gainesville’s music scene — a once booming, then barren, and now recovering collection of community staples.

Rapper Sky Luca$ is one of several up-and-coming artists regularly perform across Gainesville venues.

The Avenue

What a time to be alive: Gainesville’s robust music scene

By Dazion Prosser | July 13, 2022

A sample platter featuring some of the many amazing artists in Gainesville.

High Dive, a Gainesville music venue, is a registered participant in Independent Venue Week.

The Avenue

Matt Maeson to appear at the High Dive amid Independent Venue Week

By Averi Kremposky | July 10, 2022

Armed with only his acoustic guitar, the Virginia-native singer commenced a small-scale tour of independent venues July 7.

Tee Whitey and P Red at Like 6 O’Clock Studios in Gainesville Thursday, June 2, 2022.

The Avenue

Straight up and down like six o’clock: Local Gainesville studio seeks to be the go-to spot for local artists

By Averi Kremposky | July 5, 2022

With two locations in Gainesville, “Like 6 O’clock Studios” is the product of one musician's disoriented walk through the music industry and his dedication to ensuring a solidified path for others.

The Driptones perform during Back to School Fest Heartwood Soundstage on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. The venue hosted five indie bands to celebrate the start of a new school year.

The Avenue

Around the state and back again: UF concert lovers must travel for live music

By Averi Kremposky | June 16, 2022

Gainesville’s meager population, compared to other large cities, can discourage big-name artists from performing in town. The predicament forces UF concert lovers to flee the city if they want to catch hotshot musicians.

Powfu has amassed over a billion streams of his song “death bed (coffee for your head)” on Spotify.

The Avenue

Offline and on tour: Powfu hits the road for the first time since becoming an internet sensation

By Averi Kremposky | June 16, 2022

Powfu's 12-show tour in includes a stop at the High Dive in Gainesville June 16.

Clifford released the single under Gainesville label Spirit House Records.

The Avenue

Folk singer-songwriter honors devotion in new single

By Kristine Villarroel | June 14, 2022

Gaineville-based folk singer-songwriter Maggie Clifford released “Come the Rain,” her first single under Spirit House records on June 14.

Michael Corio, 20, and Desiree Kirschner, 20, kiss during the Night at Fox Lounge event Friday, May 27, 2022.

The Avenue

Gainesville artists flock to Fox Lounge

By Anna Ward | June 1, 2022

More than 150 people attended the Night at Fox Lounge event, the latest endeavor from local media collective Night Before Media.

Two girls hug while listening to the band Heart Prevails at the Hardback Cafe’s closing party on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

The Avenue

Long-standing music venue closes doors once again

By Kristine Villarroel | May 31, 2022

On May 25, the Hardback Cafe closed its doors. Its community — reminiscent of one that gathered in 1999 — gathered again, this time for an eclectic event.

Artist Danny B emcees a Muck City Showcase in front of an electric crowd Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Fox Lounge.

The Avenue

Muck City Showcases: A family of creatives

By Amanda Friedman | May 23, 2022

Muck City Showcases is a local artist showcase circuit aiming to uplift smaller local musicians started by Danny B. Hodges Jr. in January. The shows are held at small businesses and feature dozens of artists from across the state.

This image released by Columbia Records shows Harry Styles’ third studio album, “Harry’s House." (Columbia Records via AP)

The Avenue

Rate and review: ‘Harry’s House’

By Averi Kremposky | May 21, 2022

We are only guests in ‘Harry’s House,’ and the reserved vulnerability of the homeowner allows us to morph his lyrics into something applicable to our own lives. Read our review of Harry Styles’ anticipated album:

The latest release from the Puerto Rican superstar is a more relaxed detour from his high-energy reggaeton sound.

The Avenue

Rate and Review: Bad Bunny welcomes summer with ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’

By Kristine Villarroel | May 10, 2022

Three years and a pandemic since he first skyrocketed to the international stage with his hit single "Callaita," “Un Verano Sin Ti” picks up exactly where Bad Bunny left off.

Rugh's summer tour kicked off with a warehouse show May 6.

The Avenue

Rugh kicks off summer tour with warehouse show

By Kristine Villarroel | May 10, 2022

Local “anxiety pop” band Rugh kicked off its summer tour Friday between lightning, rain and glitches in a Storage Zone lot.

The Avenue

Diversity on the rise in Gainesville’s music community

By Amanda Friedman | Apr. 18, 2022

In a town previously viewed as a hub for white, indie-rock music, now people of color, queer and female artists are breaking into the Gainesville scene with more experimental sounds inspired by hip hop, ska, funk and Latin music.

The Avenue

Local artist “Zzz” signed to Grade A Productions

By Alexis Carson | Apr. 12, 2022

Grade A Productions made international stars out of rap artists like Juice WRLD and The Kid LAROI. The U.S. production company’s next big name could be one of UF’s own.

Courtesy to The Alligator (Photo by Graham Louis)

The Avenue

Madwoman celebrates new single release at the How Bazar

By Amanda Friedman | Apr. 5, 2022

About 300 people attended the mindfulness-themed event, which featured performances from local artists Spatially Fed, Rakhu, Faro, Rugh and Madwoman.