An estimated 6,000 people flocked to the Union Free Speech Area on Friday night to hear the music of Jack’s Mannequin, The Format, Rx Bandits and Straylight Run, exceeding organizers’ attendance expectations for the Redfest music festival.
“There was a constant line at the Union desk,” said Amanda Mecham, director of the Associated Students of the University of Utah Presenter’s Office. “It was such a great response from students.”
Mecham said she expected about 4,000 to attend the show, since past Redfest concerts have capped at about 4,500. Last year, more than 4,000 people attended the Flogging Molly concert, and half that number came to see The Ataris the following night.
ASUU Programming Adviser Brian Burton said ASUU doesn’t have an official count for Friday’s concert, because Smith’sTix did not send a ticket audit that night, but he estimated that more than 6,000 tickets were sold.
As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, 851 general public tickets and 4,075 student tickets had been sold, for a total of 4,926. ASUU pulled 1,000 additional tickets to be sold at the Union between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., all of which sold out.
“We are super excited — it was a great turnout,” said ASUU President Spencer Pearson.
Students said the quality of bands and large crowd made the night as good as, if not better than, past Redfest concerts.
“This was way better,” said Amanda Arcilesi, who graduated from the U last May in communication and art history. “I liked being able to see the bands all in one night. Plus, they were better bands.”
Arcilesi, who is a big fan of The Format, said she enjoyed the concert but wished Straylight Run played more over Rx Bandits.
“We love all of (the bands),” said Nathan Simmons, a freshman in Japanese and international business.
Like many in attendance, Brittany Ripley, a freshman biology major, came mostly to see Jack’s Mannequin and The Format, the latter of which played an acoustic set.
“A lot of people came out for it, which made the experience better,” Ripley said.
Ripley said she also enjoyed the festival held Thursday during the day, which featured live bands, games, T-shirt making, food and prizes.
“It was nice to go to in-between classes to get psyched for (Friday),” Ripley said.
Mecham said she wanted this year’s Redfest to be more than just a concert by “putting the festival back into Redfest.”
The concert went without much controversy, although some flashes of lightning kept organizers on guard throughout the show.
A number of crowd-surfers were removed by being thrown over the shoulders of security guards fireman style or on piggyback.
Final costs for the event have not yet been reported, but as of Friday, almost $70,000 had been spent on Redfest. Mecham said she hopes to keep costs to about $120,000.
“It was the first (Presenter’s Office) event of the year, and it was a total success,” Mecham said. “We hope students continue to go to more P.O. events.”
Jarad ReddekoppAndrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin performs with the band at Friday’s Redfest event in the Union Free Speech Area.