In Bloom 2018: Free Press Summer Fest, Reborn

Behind the scenes of the Bud Light Stage at In Bloom Festival 2018. The crowd gathered for rapper Lil Uzi Vert. (Photo: Karina Arnold) 

“Houston knows HOW TO PARTY!!!!” Martin Garrix said on his Instagram account after closing out the Bud Light main stage at Houston’s new In Bloom music festival. I think Martin said it best. Concert-goers in Houston did not really know what to expect from In Bloom as it was the festival’s first year after making a big transition. Since August 2009, Houston has had Free Press Summer Fest, a festival that grew substantially but would always be victim to bad weather conditions, which would cause a change in venues. This was not the case for In Bloom as the weather was fantastic.

There was also a great turnout, which made me proud as a Houstonian. We may finally be ready to have a major, three-day festival here in Houston. The biggest crowds that I saw were at Lil Uzi Vert on Saturday night and at Martin Garrix on Sunday.

My favorite set of the weekend was from a female DJ from Phoenix, AZ who goes by the name of Mija. Her music selection was right in line with my style as I attended Arizona State University so I got a great taste of the house music scene in Arizona while I was there as both a student and a DJ. Other notable sets were from the likes of Gramatik, D.R.A.M, T-Pain and Shiba San.

-Matt Hoffman

University of Oklahoma students (from left) Eugene Lee, Karina Arnold and Megan Mueller attended the festival.

In Bloom attracted audiences young and old, local and abroad. This past weekend, students from states including California, Louisiana and New York traveled to Houston to witness the rebirth of Houston festival life. In addition to fest commuters, local high school freshmen got their first whiff of festival flower power while veterans enjoyed the street eats, the cool breeze and Houston skyline.

Eleanor Tinsley Park provided grassy knolls for tired, resting ravers and a beautiful backdrop of the Houston skyline. The park also proved to be easy to navigate and impossible to get lost in between sets. If you did get lost, there was always a smiling security guard happy to help.

Lil Uzi Vert at Bud Light stage (Photo: Matt Hoffman)

Unlike Free Press in years past, In Bloom came with cloudy skies and good vibes. The breezy air coupled with accessible hydration huts and numerous food trucks gave festival-goers the energy to dance until dusk. The diverse lineup including T-Pain, 21 Savage, Beck and Queens of the Stone Age provided entertainment for everyone. In particular, Beck blew me away. It was delightful seeing parents with their children on their shoulders and couples swaying and rocking out to Beck's hits.

No matter where you were: standing in line for a street taco, waiting to refill your pack, or fanning yourself in the crowd, Houston hospitality flowed and ebbed throughout the festival. 

-Karina Arnold