A little winter weather wasn’t enough to turn the Grand Kerfuffle into a fiasco.
An estimated 4,800 people attended last night’s spring musical festival, which featured hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco and mash-up musician Girl Talk. The concert, put on by the Associated Students of the University of Utah Presenter’s Office, went on despite a day of snow and rain, which turned the Union Free Speech Area into a mudslide after the show.
But for many students in attendance, it was worth the frozen fingers and a little sludge on their shoes.
“Even though it was cold, people still came out and had a good time,” said Mike Lopez, a junior in behavioral science. “And for $5, it was a bargain deal.”
ASUU Programming Adviser Brian Burton said that to cope with the weather, they brought in extra heaters for the stage and put up additional coverings to keep equipment dry.
“I’m just pleased the weather didn’t deter too many people,” Burton said. “Everyone seemed happy.”
Burton said that even with the snow, tickets were selling throughout the day, bringing sales to a total of 4,223 tickets for U students and 577 tickets for the general public. Last year’s Kerfuffle, which featured Shiny Toy Guns, Augustana and Hellogoodbye, had almost the exact same numbers, with a total of 4,817 tickets sold.
One of the non-U students in attendance was Salt Lake City resident Walker Bateman, who dressed for the weather in a one-piece fuschia snowsuit.
“I went with the one-piece because it covers the jacket and pants at the same time,” Bateman said. “But it’s hard to dance with because the pants raise up.”
Among other dancers were a group of ASUU student leaders jamming on the stage with Girl Talk, and Utah football player Aiona Key, a junior in communication, who danced in the audience to Girl Talk’s mixes. Key said he attended the concert because he didn’t have class.
“It’s a Wednesday night, nothing happens on Wednesday, so we just came,” Key said.
Students said they were pleased with the choice of artists for the spring concert.
“I like Lupe Fiasco,” said Jerry Pacheco, a freshman in elementary education. “I think he’s an intelligent rapper.”
Dan Gerszewski, a doctoral candidate in computer science, said that he has liked Lupe Fiasco since he saw him on “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Some students could have cared less who was performing, but came to the concert with their friends. As students snapped photos of themselves and the stage, junior sociology major Sky Bosworth said he expected a lot of “tagging” tomorrow online.
“It seems really Facebook,” Bosworth said. “Like, “let’s get everyone together.'”
Bosworth said the weather did not surprise or deter him.
“No, I’m from Utah,” he said.
Lennie MahlerLupe Fiasco, top, and Girl Talk, bottom, perform in front of thousands Wednesday behind the Union Building. Despite the cold and wet weather, the concert saw similar turnout to last year?s.