The Student Activities Association announced Wednesday that Jason Derulo, Travis Porter and Fly Panda will be the performers for this year’s spring concert.
The performers were selected with the help of the association’s entertainment committee in an attempt to see what genres and artists students want to hear.
“We got feedback that students were tired of country music and wanted a change,” said Alley Daily, a senior business marketing major and director of the association. “We are an organization that caters to our students and want to bring events that they love and enjoy.”
During homecoming week the SAA also made a first-time push toward Twitter to encourage students to tweet about who they wanted to see at this year’s spring concert. They asked students to tweet their favorite artists’ names with the hashtag #musicinthegrove.
Addison Sullivan, sophomore general studies major, said she is excited about the picks.
“I actually can’t wait,” Sullivan said. “Jason Derulo is always awesome to see, and Travis Porter was a great surprise.”
Some students, however, have voiced disappointment over the performer selections.
“I feel like they have been slacking on performances the last couple of years, given the fact that I know they have the ability to book great performances that have been in the Grove in the past,” said Alex Medders, junior forensic chemistry major.
The number of students in the Grove for the spring concert averages around 3,000 to 6,000 people. Last year saw one of the biggest turnouts, when thousands of students gathered in the Grove to enjoy the performances of Grace Potter and special guest Jerrod Niemann.
Bradley Baker, adviser to the association, said the members of the organization try to improve the concert each year.
“Regardless who is playing in the Grove, to have a free concert is something students should enjoy and is a fun college experience,” Baker said. “We always try to one-up ourselves with different genres to bring in more of a crowd.”
Junior psychology major Brandon Beamon said he was surprised to see Fly Panda on the lineup. Fly Panda is a duo made up of rapper Lukas Ka$h and singer Winter Rae who do trap-style music with a mixture of dubstep.
“When I saw Fly Panda in the lineup, I was left with the question: Who are these randoms?” Beamon said.
After researching the band on YouTube, however, Beamon said he is looking forward to hearing the band at the concert.
The concert will be held April 4 at 8 p.m. on the Grove stage.
— Julie Laberge
jklaberg@go.olemiss.edu
