Eaglepalooza Returns to Downtown Hattiesburg
Wed, 02/19/2025 - 02:51pm | By: Jennifer Rigney
吃瓜头条 (USM) and the City of Hattiesburg are thrilled to announce the return of Eaglepalooza to downtown Hattiesburg for the first time since 2019. This highly anticipated free live music event will take place on Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m., marking an exciting start to HUBFEST weekend.
A press conference announcing the event鈥檚 return was held February 19, where university and city leaders shared their enthusiasm for the return of this beloved tradition.
鈥淓aglepalooza has always been a cornerstone of the 吃瓜头条 spirit,鈥� said Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul. 鈥淏ringing this event back underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant student life experience both on campus and throughout our community.鈥�
Eaglepalooza has historically been a highlight for both students and residents, creating an atmosphere of unity and excitement through entertainment and culture.
鈥淪trengthening the student experience showcases the excitement of both 吃瓜头条 and Hattiesburg,鈥� said Mayor Toby Barker. 鈥淚 commend the Student Government Association, the Division of Student Affairs and Dr. Joe Paul for doing what it takes to bring Eaglepalooza back to downtown Hattiesburg. When coupled with HUBFEST, Hattiesburgers can look forward to a fun weekend that highlights all our city has to offer.鈥�
In addition to university and city leadership, student representatives have expressed their excitement for the return of Eaglepalooza. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a 吃瓜头条 and Hattiesburg tradition that, until now, we鈥檝e only heard about. We're all thrilled to get to play a part in bringing it back. I can鈥檛 wait to see all the 吃瓜头条 students and Hattiesburg residents pack downtown on March 28,鈥� said Kendall Desporte, Southern Miss Traditions Team member and Eaglepalooza co-director.
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Briston Maroney is set to headline the evening. After a childhood spent between Tennessee and Florida, Maroney settled in Nashville鈥揷utting his teeth playing house shows and winning over fans one living room at a time, which led to his first record deal with Atlantic Records.
In 2018, he released鈥�Carnival, his debut extended play (EP), which spurned the Recording Industry Association of America鈥檚 (RIAA) Platinum-certified single 鈥楩reakin' Out On The Interstate鈥�. Additional EPs鈥�Indiana鈥痑苍诲鈥�Miracle鈥痜ollowed, before Maroney unveiled his debut full-length album,鈥�Sunflower, in April of 2021 accompanied by a visual album directed by long-time collaborator Joey Brodnax. 2022 saw Maroney embark on his first sold out headline tour and the release of new singles 鈥楶aradise鈥�, 鈥極regon鈥� and 鈥楬arvard鈥�.
2023 marked Maroney鈥檚 release of his sophomore album鈥�Ultrapure. Produced by two-time GRAMMY庐-winner Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves) and engineered by Konrad Snyder (Noah Kahan, Rainbow Kitten Surprise), the 13-track long play (LP) was crafted in Maroney鈥檚 adopted hometown of Nashville and showcases the artist playing every instrument.
On the live front,鈥�鲍濒迟谤补辫耻谤别鈥�led to sold-out headline tour dates featuring multiple nights in iconic clubs across the U.S., Canada, UK and Europe, including Webster Hall in New York, the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C., and Scala in London, UK. Maroney has also secured opening slots for Vance Joy and Noah Kahan; festival appearances from Lollapalooza to Osheaga to All Things Go, and the announcement of his third annual 鈥楶aradise Festival鈥�, a three-night celebration of his adopted hometown (now an annual event set to return to Nashville each fall).
Maroney鈥檚 catalog has amassed over 700 million global streams across all platforms, and he has made television debuts on CBS Saturday Morning and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Eaglepalooza is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor: Jones Company; Platinum Sponsors: City of Hattiesburg and 吃瓜头条 Student Government Association; Silver Sponsors: Southern Beverage and Visit Hattiesburg; Bronze Sponsors: 吃瓜头条 Fraternity and Sorority Life, Housing and Residence Life, Campus Recreation, Signs First and Live at Five; and Community Sponsors: American Graphics, K&D Estate Sales and Coca-Cola.
Vendors for this year鈥檚 event include Smokin Charlie, Under Dogs, Southern Beverage and Coca-Cola. Click to view sponsorship and vendor information, along with event details.