This fall, big names and rising talent in the music industry performed in Tuscaloosa as a part of Druid City Music Hall’s Kaleidoscope concert series.
Folk group Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners, pop balladeer Alex Warren, and country singer Tucker Wetmore are among the many acts that have and will touch down on the Strip from August to November.
The series boasted a range of talent that reaches across genres and demographics in an effort to appeal to college students, Tuscaloosa County residents and out-of-town visitors commuting in for a football game, said Druid City’s Vickie Gordon.
“It was a very heavy focus for the series to make sure that there would be something for every member of the community,” said Gordon, who organized the Kaleidoscope lineup.
Gordon said the scattershot strategy was adopted in part so that the venue could see what people are interested in.
Despite acknowledging the artists’ different backgrounds, Druid City sees one common trait: a promising future.
“[We’re] trying to aim at all the young folks here in the city, and really show them some of the music that is going to take off in the next three to five years,” said UA alum Josh Moore, marketing manager for Druid City Music Hall. “That’s kind of what Druid City does as a whole.”
Those running the venue have proven themselves able to predict music trends; in years past they’ve booked acts like The Red Clay Strays, which passed through the music hall twice on its journey from bar gigs to a world tour.
“I’m really excited for a couple of these folks that have some big songs out that everybody already knows,” Moore said. “They’re gonna get to see them live in a pretty intimate venue, so I’m excited for that.”
Moore is not alone in his excitement. Senior public relations major, Caroline Sims eagerly awaited the fall shows.
“I saw the promotion for Kaleidoscope on Instagram, and it really piqued my interest because I love live music,” Sims said. “All the tickets were relatively cheap. I went ahead and checked out the lineup and I actually have tickets to three different shows.”Kaleidoscope’s kickoff coincided with The University of Alabama’s first day of classes as charlieonafriday opened the series on Wednesday. Tickets for all shows in the series are available for purchase on Druid City Music Hall’s website.
