On Sept. 17, East Tennessee State University was proud to sponsor Johnson City’s beloved “Fridays After 5”, a thirteen-week summer concert series that takes place in King Commons and features local food trucks, live music, a family fun area and a brand-new adventure park.
The ETSU-themed evening was advertised as a “Gold Out” (meaning that attendees were encouraged to wear their most festive gold ETSU attire) and included performances by the ETSU Marching Bucs, the cheerleading squad and the dance team, in addition to the headlining band, Anthony Wayne Vibe.
“My favorite part was getting to see the dance team,” said Kayla Vols, an ETSU junior. “I also really enjoyed watching the band perform outside of a stadium setting.”
Fridays After 5 was founded in 2021, following the conclusion of the Founders After Five concert series in 2020. The series consists of two “seasons:” one, which ran from June 4 to July 23, and two, which runs from July 30 to Sept. 24.
Fridays After 5 has featured the local talents of musicians such as Donnie and The Dry Heavers, 49 Winchester, Loose Leaves and Morgans Mill. In addition to highlighting artists who are native to the Appalachian Region, Fridays After 5 also provides audiences with a variety of music genres such as country, indie, soul, rock, alternative and blues.
Local restaurants such as the Label, Southern Craft, Mid City Grill and The Main Street Pizza Company also take part in the festivities by offering to-go options for attendees to pick up and take with them to enjoy while watching the entertainment.
Through its partnership with ETSU, Fridays After 5 was able to bring together two of the most important and iconic aspects of Johnson City: its abundant college community and appreciation for local talent.
To learn more about Fridays After 5, visit www.downtownjc.com or follow @downtownjc on Instagram.
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