Photos by Zach Le
On Saturday evening, students brought their woven blankets and Polaroid-style instant film cameras to Alumni Park for the Pacific Sounds Music & Arts Festival put together by The Board. Pre-sale tickets were available for $1 in the Caf the Monday before the concert, $5 the rest of the the week leading up to the event and $10 at the door.
This year’s spring concert, a Pepp tradition, showcased up-and-coming indie artists. James and Lowell, comprised of students Wilson Howard and John Anderson, were chosen to open for the main artists by Coffeehouse Live back in the fall.
The opening act was followed by the husband and wife musical pair, Us The Duo, and the headliner, The Oh Hellos.
Activities were set up near the entrance to Alumni, welcoming students and providing entertainment. A Ferris wheel and an interactive art installation were just a few of the main creative attractions where photos could be snapped and shared by event-goers. Many posed in front of the eye-catching balloon art installations and others gathered around the station to give each other flash tattoos before the main acts went on.
Food trucks lined the back of the area, offering a fanfare of ethnic options ranging from Venezuelan to Caribbean. The Boba Truck was a big hit as well, and at least a dozen or so people could be seen lined up at any given time throughout the night.
The Board was definitely in tune with the artistic side of the student body, and many praised the more festival-esque atmosphere.
“The event had a lighthearted vibe,” senior Imani Goodman said. “It was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves, and it was a nice way to kick off the spring season.”
Michael and Carissa Alvarado of Us The Duo were a cheerful crowd-pleaser. On the keyboard, the couple paid homage to the inner ’90s kid in all of us and performed a throwback medley that included the theme songs to “All That,” “Boy Meets World” and “Full House.”
One of their original songs, “No Matter Where You Are,” based on their wedding vows, was the most touching ballad of the night.
By the time The Oh Hellos took the stage the sun had set, but the energy was up and their set got the entire crowd on their feet. A large group went up to dance next to the stage as the American folk rock band played songs off their album, “Dear Wormwood.” Some hadn’t heard of The Oh Hellos prior to the lineup announcement, so the event gave great exposure to the siblings, Tyler and Maggie Heath.
For some new students, this event was the perfect way to get their friends together in one place.
“There was a smaller crowd by the end of the night but everyone who stayed was really into the music,” freshman Narelle Norris said. “Lots of my friends were dancing to keep warm.”
The Ferris wheel, food trucks and a festival-worthy lineup made the annual event extra special this year.
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