For 10 straight hours Thursday, University students and community members gathered in the EMU Amphitheater to tap their feet and nod their heads at Roll up Summer with The Juice to Make it Happen. The noon to night event organized by the student-produced magazine Oregon Voice showcased seven local bands and six KWVA DJs.
University Junior Meika Scott-Brown came to see her boyfriend play guitar with the band Touch of the Panda, a band she said “rules.”
“I think the band is really tight and it’s great to see everyone slowing down and enjoying great music,” she said. “I love when they have live music out here.”
Most of the people were enjoying the event more passively; some, when a DJ was spinning records, sat and read. University freshman Rick Buhr said he liked that the music he was hearing at the event was edgy and original.
“It’s good to hear some live music,” he said. “The battle of the bands at Intermingle was mostly rap bands and not very original. This is more what I was expecting from the local band scene.”
University Senior Neil Thurston, who was sitting and watching, said, “It’s been pretty chill. The DJ was playing cool music earlier. I’ve got a break before my next class so I’m just hanging out.”
The headlining bands included The Juice to Make It Happen, The T Club and The Mood.
During the event the Oregon Voice staff had set up a table passing out copies of the magazine and sidewalk chalk for students to use to promote their magazine.
Oregon Voice editor-in-chief Sara Brickner said that while the Oregon Voice has a small devoted following, a lot of students don’t even know they exist and the event was an effort to change that.
Oregon Voice covers local culture, in particular local bands and entertainment, but Brickner said that they also cover “random stuff that people might be interested in reading about.”
She added that the Oregon Voice isn’t as political as the Oregon Commentator or The Insurgent.
Korey Schultz, publisher of the Oregon Voice and organizer of the event, said the event was put together to promote local art and music as well as spread the word about the Oregon Voice.
“Eugene has some great vibes that need to be exposed,” he said.
Schultz said that if people show up to this event and have a good time, the Oregon Voice will put on similar shows at least once a term in the future.
“(The Oregon Voice) wants the student body to become active members in our arts and music community,” he said. “This is the first of many shows to come.”