UWSP Student’s Passion for Live Music Inspires Concert Series Creation

UWSP student Tommy Fritz loves live music, and it has led him to create a concert series in Stevens Point called Point Rocks.

“It’s all around up-and-coming female-fronted rock and roll bands,” Fritz said.

Fritz was looking through his personal playlists and asked himself what bands he could bring in that would be cool and interesting. He listens to almost all of the bands that he books.

For one show, Point Rocks had a sponsorship to pay a band to come to Stevens Point.

“The rest is out of my own pocket and in ticket sales. I’m not upset if I lose money,” Fritz said.

He finds the experience to be the most rewarding part.

The first show featured Platinum Moon, a band from New York City. The concert series also headlines local bands to open shows.

So far in 2023, Fritz has met 40 members from bands that he listens to. He has attended 45 concerts this year.

“I’m just a kid in college who loves music,” Fritz said. “Live music is the best form of therapy.”

Whether it be performing, writing or listening, music has a way of moving many of us. For Fritz, music is more than a hobby; it’s been a lifelong passion that has given him the avenue to meet new people, grow in his professional experience, hear live music and create his own concert series.

Fritz is a senior majoring in arts management and minoring in music. Hailing from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, his interest in music started at a young age. He learned guitar from a family friend.

“Riding to school, I always listened to John Denver, and I always liked his songs. One day I said, ‘I’m going to learn the guitar,’ and I picked it up. That was 14 years ago, and I never stopped,” he said.

Today, he continues to play the guitar as well as the banjo, mandolin, bass and piano. He also sings.

The next show is Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at District One Brewery in Stevens Point. It is open to those 21 and over.

The featured band will be Bourbon House of Wausau, Wisconsin. Students can expect to pay an entry fee of ten dollars, while the general public can expect to pay fifteen dollars.

No matter what, Fritz emphasizes the importance of supporting live music. He’s thankful for all of the support that he has received.

“No matter what someone may tell you, just do what you want. Even if you lose money and ends up failing, you can look back, see what you did wrong,” he said.

He said that experience and growth is worth everything.

For more information on this project and upcoming shows, please contact @pointrocks on Instagram or email [email protected].

Jack Orlando

News Reporter

[email protected]