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Five reasons to check out new music fest The Reunion

Believe it or not, some of us in Dallas have zero interest in the University of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, or anything associated with the annual football game between the two schools that takes place here. The more extremely apathetic among us feel twitches of anger when our streets are taken over by drunken revelers and our data networks are maxed out by all the concentrated usage during the game.

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But this year it might be time to take Texas-OU weekend back. Rather than brave the overly packed haunts on Greenville or try to drive around the insane foot traffic everywhere in Dallas' other bar-rich neighborhoods, we could embrace a different kind of madness. We could try out a new festival whose stage is set for the downtown lawn area where Reunion Arena once stood. (Full disclosure: The event is being presented by CrowdSource, the events company of The Dallas Morning News, and the Ray Hunt family of companies.)

The Reunion will land in said spot on Oct. 9, the night before the big game whose outcome matters little to some of us. What should matter, though, are the offerings at the new fest that have nothing to do with the pigskin mania surrounding it. Here are five things to look forward to when we wear our non-orange, non-red colors out to the lawn beneath Reunion Tower:

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The unique setting

You'll recall that another sports-affiliated concert fest once took place in the very spot where the Reunion will be held. It happened during the Final Four tourney in 2014 and brought none other than Bruce Springsteen (and several others) to a massive outdoor stage. That went off without a hitch and inspired us to daydream about future concert possibilities on that massive stretch of land in the shadow of the big ball. We are finally seeing something new take advantage of the prime real estate.

The headliner

When you've got the space for it and a backdrop of the Dallas skyline, you want a marquee act that will bring in both the music-obsessed and the casual radio listeners. Weezer is a solid choice in both aspects. Its carefully crafted tunes are just poppy enough to inspire singalongs -- imagine thousands on a cool fall evening screaming the words to "Buddy Holly" or "Say It Ain't So."

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The supporting acts

OK, so Weezer is OK in your mind, but maybe not funky enough to justify letting loose in public. Understandable. How about a little "MoneyGrabber" courtesy of Fitz and the Tantrums? The LA band injects its tune with some soul in order to get people dancing. And if it doesn't take you all the way there, New Orleans' Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue certainly can. The band is brassy, celebratory and festival-ready. It might just steal Weezer's thunder.

Noelle Scaggs and LA band Fitz and the Tantrums will shake things up with some soulful music.
Noelle Scaggs and LA band Fitz and the Tantrums will shake things up with some soulful music. (Nathan Hunsinger / Staff Photographer)

The fireworks

Ever seen fireworks shooting out of the ball on top of Reunion Tower? Neither have we. But that's what's set to happen when the Reunion hits its home stretch. So, plan to kick back on the grass and watch the sky light up next to the tall buildings of Big D. Selfies encouraged, but leave the obnoxious stick at home.

The party vibes

In addition to the musical entertainment onstage and the fireworks, there'll be DJ sets from Dallas' Latin House Krew, and there'll be eats and craft beers repping joints from all over North Texas. So, yeah, what's all that noise about football and college rivalries about? No idea, but see you at the fest.

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Oct. 9 from 4 to 11 p.m. on the grounds of the former Reunion Arena, near Reunion Boulevard at Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. General admission $40, VIP $125. thereuniondallas.com.

Check out our full page on The Reunion here.