In September of every year since 2010, St. Louis hosts their very own music festival: Loufest. Takes place in Forest Park housing almost 40 different bands with a huge variety of different types of music. From indie, to alternative, to even country (sadly), there is something there for everyone.

I personally am looking forward to JMR, St. Lucia, and Big Gigantic on the first day and Twin Peaks, Anderson .Paak, and LCD Soundsystem.

Along with music, Loufest also has the “Nosh Pit” featuring local restaurants such as Mission Taco Joint, Kaldis, Sugarfire, Dewey’s, and Fitz’s. Loufest also has their own marketplace to sell handmade jewelry, art, and threads. Many vendors include: Coco Loco Jewelry, Black Black Moon, and Just Liv.

When I think

back on this incredible weekend, the one performer that really stands out in my mind is Big Gigantic. I waited in the nasty muddy field in front of the Forest Park stage on day one with my friends Vivian, John, and Allison to be front row for this EDM performance excitedly for three hours. We gathered at the stage at 4;45 after a very incredible St. Lucia experience, and through the wait for Big Gigantic we got to watch an indie rock band from Scotland named Frightened Rabbit. All four of us had only heard a couple of their songs and based off the older demographic we were unsure what to expect. We were overall pretty impressed in the end but just absolutely could not wait for Big Gigantic. Finally at 7;30, the music began and we let loose. It was absolutely incredible. Every photographer was taking shots from every angle of our group and many of those pictures were published online, even on the Loufest website! Despite the quite irritating eight year old poking at my back and pushing between Vivian and I (Side note: What parent allows their child in such a rave like atmosphere with illegal substances clouding the air and songs with sexual innuendos? Anyways), I had a fantastic time.

Day two, I was able to get front row for a rapper named Anderson .Paak along with The Free Nationals which was also incredible. He is such a talented individual and incredible performer. The crowd was huge and drunks surrounded us at the barricades. Everyone was vibing which is one of my favorite things about music. Looking around and seeing the pure bliss on everyone’s faces brings so much joy to me.

Overall I was really unsure about how this year’s Loufest would be, but it goes to show that with the right people and with the right mindset, any experience can be worth a lifetime.