Big-name acts mesmerize at Springfest
Shouts and screams rang from McCarthy Quad on Saturday for USC’s annual Springfest. Much to the student body’s chagrin, USC Concerts Committee held back on the complete performance lineup until Friday, keeping students on their toes until the very end. Fortunately, the long wait did not disappoint. Students left their Monday deadline essays and projects to gather on campus for a full day of food, sounds and spirits.
This year, Concerts Committee partnered with Program Board, Gearfest, Environmental Student Assembly, Trojan Pride and Special Events Committee to create a music festival on the quad’s grassy field. The annual Springfest concert exemplifies the collaborative efforts of hardworking Trojans who strive to create an unforgettable event for the entire community. Those who attended over the Passover/Easter weekend were treated to a familiar environment reminiscent of a small-scale version of the upcoming Coachella festival. With the inclusion of a sizeable beer garden, the nine-hour event provided a festive end to a stressful crunch week.
Eager concertgoers arrived at the event’s opening just to see the various local and big-name artists. Before the performances began, vendors were ready with a variety of festival appropriate clothing for purchase among other items. As evidenced by the quick depletion of free Postmates’ shirts, a large crowd of early birds flooded the lawn to scope out the festivities and freebies. Goods delivery company Postmates provided the special code “springfest” for first-time app users to try out their services. For tired attendees, the Monster booth provided free cans of Monster Rehab to jumpstart the Springfest experience. For those in need of a food break, Crepe’n Around, The Hungry Nomad, India Jones and the ever popular Boba Truck were presented to provide nourishment for the nine-hour day.
On the SOS lawn, Springfest participants could challenge their friends to an obstacle course or power Global Inheritance’s Energy Playground on a seesaw. The provision of an opportunity to educate people about alternative energy generation represents USC’s commitment to sustainable energy. After partaking in those activities, attendees could receive a screen-printed T-shirt provided by ESA. The Action Zone, hosted by Trojan Pride and Special Events Committee, included the return of the rock-climbing wall and an obstacle course, along with a new wrecking ball pen. Gearfest returned with another amazing fashion show featuring uniquely decorated mannequins.
At 2:30 pm, electronic band WALLA opened up Springfest with an energetic awakening for the fresh crowd. Following them, HolyChild singer Liz Nistico got down and dirty on the grass field, jumping in to perform while inside the crowd pit. The band ended their short 30-minute set list with “Happy With Me,” leaving the crowd with a void that could only be filled by Audio Push and Isaiah Rashad. Audio Push drew in an even larger crowd in the late afternoon with hits such as “Normally” and “Quick Fast.” That momentum was sustained by fellow rapper Isaiah Rashad and surprise guest singer Solana Rowe, otherwise known as SZA.
Around sunset, indie singer-songwriter BØRNS wound down the hyped energy and converted it to a new kind of dance party with fan favorites such as “Electric Love,” along with their own rendition of “Benny and The Jets.” Lead singer Garrett Borns’ impeccable vocal range and blend of electronica and glam rock made a solid set that attracted latecomers from The Row.
Lights were dimmed and the fog machines were put onto overdrive for Portugal. The Man. Despite the complete lack of visibility for a majority of the hour, the Oregon-based indie rock band executed a spectacular show filled with long guitar solos. They began with one of their chart toppers, “Purple, Yellow, Red and Blue,” following with other hits such as “Modern Jesus” and finally coming full circle with a smooth mashup of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2.” This set end was flawless in its execution as the guitar rhythms are similar.
Tables turned when DJ/producer duo GTA took the stage and revisited some classic and popular songs remixed for the rave-ready pit. Unfortunately many of those songs were choppy cuts of even their own songs and any instance of prolonged intense dancing were cut short at their prime. Surprisingly, they only included what seemed like a 20-second splice of their hit “Intoxicated.” The mix of house and dubstep music confused people at how they should dance since some moments were as awkward as “Fade into Darkness” transitioning to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time.” Still, the incorporation of Daft Punk’s “Hard, Better, Faster, Stronger,” Big Sean’s “I Don’t F-ck With You” and Tinashe’s “2 On” kept attendees bouncing for the rest of the hour before the headliner.
Like every year, the rowdy crowd caused a delay in the performance as a mass swarmed the front of the stage and disregarded official demands to make room at the stage fence. Though the crowd waited half an hour before headliner 2 Chainz made his appearance, his DJ soothed the savage mosh pit with a mix of 2 Chainz’s hits. After 20 minutes, concert-goers were anxious to see the end of the wait, and finally 2 Chainz busted out of the shadows and laid down the law with notable examples such as “Beez in the Trap.” By the end of the show, 2 Chainz proved that he was, indeed, different.