Students cheered, local bands showed off their talent and phones were set aside at the biannual Live and Local event hosted by the Utah Tech Student Association.
Different variations of this event have been seen throughout the years. It hasn’t always been called Live and Local, and it hasn’t always been what this beloved event is today.
Asher Anderson, a senior marketing major from Mesa, Arizona, who was in charge of the event, said in the early years of Live and Local, it was called Moo-Foo, an abbreviation of music and food.
It was a battle of the bands along with different food trucks and vendors, but the event had low attendance and wasn’t a hit. With COVID-19 restrictions and unclear branding, attendance lagged and the event struggled to find its footing.
UTSA then rebranded the event to Live and Local and brought in local vendors along with live music to bring the community together. The change and rebranding worked; live performances became the heartbeat of the event, creating a space where students could experience the energy of music and support local businesses.
Gabe Montesino, band member from A Band Named Caysn, said: “With a name like Live and Local, we are live and we are local. We love being able to support the live music scene and all of the bands from around here are so talented.”
Live and Local has thrived through years of change from weather to pandemics and changes in student interests. Despite challenges and changes, the event continues to grow, bringing the campus community together through music and energy.
“What Live and Local means to me is getting your friends together and kind of just living in the moment,” Anderson said. “You look around, no one’s on their phone, everyone’s sitting on a blanket and just enjoying live music. It just brings people together.”
Throughout the years, this event has brought people together because of community involvement.
Jessica Milne, an alumna from Utah Tech University, has a business called Silver Spoon Rings and was a vendor at Live and Local. This isn’t her first year as a vendor at Live and Local; Milne comes to this event as much as she can.
“I love coming to these events,” Milne said. She enjoys working with the study body, and she attributes her love of the event to the student body. Milne said they are welcoming and overall easy to work with.
Lauren Schadt, a senior management major from Vancouver, Washington, and member of UTSA, has attended many Live and Local events since her freshman year.
Schadt said: “I think every year it has kind of gained more momentum. As people go, people realize how fun it is and how you can hang out with friends and meet new people.”
The bands that performed this year were The Last Wild Buffalo, A Band Named Caysn, Cold Weather Venture and Vernon Worthen.
This year had a variety from indie folk to rock music. Each band displayed their love for St. George and the excitement of playing live music.
Jonny Celaya, a band member from The Last Wild Buffalo, said: “Just providing a space for people to come and meet each other and meet us and connect. One thing that music has done for us is allow us to connect with people in different areas.”
As the sun set and the music faded, Live and Local once again proved why it’s a favorite tradition on campus—a night where students unplug and connect; proving that great music, good food and community spirit never go out of style.
