The sound of bass and electronic beats made its way into San Antonio, as the Mala Luna Musical Festival kicked off its second year with live street art and various artists.
The weekend long event took over the city on it’s opening day, Oct. 28 at the Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium and Lil Wayne claimed the stage as the evening’s headliner.
A second stage was added to the layout of the festival this year. Additionally, the festival welcomed sponsor tents and an arcade.
Soup, a San Antonio street artist, worked on a canvas during the festival where he painted a giant portrait of hip hop artist Lil Wayne.
Soup participated last year as well, but this year brought a friend, and fellow artist Paul Garson.
Garson typically performs at bars and clubs, painting works for onlookers to admire. Mala Luna is a new opportunity for him to share his passion.
Garson said he chooses to paint as a therapy for substance abuse, and continues his sobriety while at events like Mala Luna, bars and clubs.
“I originally started just painting with a brush in my house, but that takes too long,” Garson said. “People really enjoying seeing what we can do with spray paint. I’m not big on the music scene, but I love painting live at places like Mala Luna.”
Garson started the festival by painting a large clown portrait in honor of Halloween.  Some festival attendees have already made offers on the art, but Garson is not sure where it will end up once he is done.
Attendees said the festival honors culture of San Antonio through it’s charity work and its inclusion of local artists, while others appreciate the attention it brings to their city.
Gabby Arevalo, festival attendee, said she came to the festival to see Lil Wayne and to support Mala Luna’s intent to put San Antonio on the map music festival-wise.
“It’s not perfect, we wish there were more lights and other stuff to do, but it’s a great festival and I think it’s important San Antonio has one,” Arevalo said. “We will definitely come back again.”
Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti and Wiz Khalifa, the first day headliners, brought out of town visitors in to admire the city and appreciate what the festival has to offer.
Paige Sander, University of North Texas junior, said she came to Mala Luna with her boyfriend. Sander and her boyfriend attended last year, and came back to enjoy the music, namely Playboi Carti.
“I know he wasn’t the top headliner, but Playboi Carti was the best in addition to Wiz (Khalifa),” Sander said. “They were the most energetic. It’s good to see the festival growing and the artists getting better.”