By Kaila Snyder, Staff Writer
The Student’s Activity Committee (SAC) welcomed American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor KYLE to perform at Weber Chapel on April 13.
The concert hosted approximately 750 students and a total of 1100 attendees according to Assistant Dean of Students for Campus Activities and Leadership Nick Spicer.
KYLE’s opener, 17-year-old New Jersey native IV Jay, started the concert off strong, performing three of her own songs before welcoming DJ and Musician JUSTDIMY to the stage. JUSTDIMY performed his own remixed versions of several popular songs before transitioning into KYLE’s performance.
Upon making his entrance to the stage, KYLE addressed the crowd, saying how he would be “grading them” based on their energy and participation in the concert. By the end of the night, after performing hit songs such as “iSpy,” “Nothing 2 Lose” and “Moment” the crowd had earned a glowing grade of A plus from the rapper.
The process for choosing an artist for the Spring concert at Susquehanna is a long and complicated process, according to Spicer.
“The process for choosing an artist starts in September, about six months before the show. A small committee of SAC was formed to choose who would perform. These students compiled a list of about 50 artists that we send to our booking agent, Todd from Babco Entertainment,” Spicer said.
Spicer continued, explaining that the agent then looks to see which artists are available on the day the school has planned and are within the price range.
“When choosing a performer SAC is very deliberate in trying to bring different types of acts while appealing to as many students as possible. The students felt that KYLE is very relevant in today’s music scene and that he would attract a large group of students.”
Senior Kyle Kern was thrilled when he initially learned of the university’s concert selection.
“I was totally overcome with joy…This was an artist that I fell in love with during my sophomore year of college and to be able to see him was just amazing,” he said.
“I realized that some people weren’t as excited and that’s fair, his music doesn’t always jive with people but I really connect with it,” Kern continued.
Kern also shared his excitement and experience of the event.
“I was able to meet KYLE before-hand and was really fan-boying it up. I even made a cheesy remark about my name also being Kyle and he just laughed about it,” he said. “Just being able to hear him in-person and to be front row just meant so much to me.
SAC has made a commitment to keep their events free as much as possible, which is not as common for concerts, according to Spicer. He said that other colleges’ local concerts typically charge students anywhere from $10 to $50 to attend.
The two main coordinators of the spring concert were sophomores Bailee Wenckus and Ayva Kunes, with sophomore Annie Vogt coordinating public relations.
Spicer stated, “Bailee and Ayva did an amazing job. There is a tremendous amount of planning and work involved in an event like this. From booking spaces, to ticket logistics, to getting food for the artists, it is a major production. Annie also did a great job with her committee to market the event.”
Spicer also acknowledged student complaints about the spring concerts.
“The complaints I often hear about college shows like this are usually around the choice of artist. When I ask students who they would like to see, the names that are thrown out (Khalid, Halsey, Cardi B, Lady Gaga) range anywhere from $250,000 to half a million, way out of our budget.”
