Hundreds of students at the University of Idaho braved the rain and cold weather Friday evening to attend Finals Fest 2016 on the campus SprinTurf.
The event consisted of foam pool noodles, inflatable pizza slices and celebrity amateur DJs.
“This was always going to be a rain or shine event,” said Alec Rettner, board member of Vandal Entertainment. “That”s what we wanted it to be. We didn”t want the weather to influence Finals Fest.”
Josh Grissom | Argonaut
Finals Fest 2016 included a headlining performance from hip hop artist iLoveMakonnen and a guest DJ presentation by Workaholics television stars Anders Holm and Blake Anderson.
ILoveMakonnen headlined the university event, while “Workaholics” television stars Anders Holm and Blake Anderson opened as guest DJs.
“We were excited they were in our budget,” Rettner said. “Our job is to bring the music people ask for to campus. We were grateful the artists came out to Idaho.”
Vandal Entertainment hosted the event on the SprinTurf, as vendors from Coeur d”Alene and Moscow provided food products ranging from grilled cheese sandwiches to miniature doughnuts.
“This is the first year that we”ve had food other than Sodexo at Finals Fest,” said Hannah Dunbar, board member of Vandal Entertainment. “We wanted local food places that provided a mix of options.”
The event commenced with opening acts from experimental hip hop group Sly Moon Sutra and Nu-disco band Chanti Darling.
“It”s called Finals Fest, so we thought, why not make it into an actual fest instead of a one-man concert?” said Samantha Tanigawa, promotions chair of Vandal Entertainment.
Holms and Anderson followed with a performance that combined music with impromptu comedy routines.
“Does anybody want some potato chips?” Anderson said, waving a bag toward the crowd. “We brought the good stuff tonight – barbecue kettle-cooked.”
Tanigawa said Vandal Entertainment was excited to book the television stars for the event.
“College students love “Workaholics,”” Tanigawa said. “The agent is actually the one who suggested it. He said, “Wild idea, but”¦” and the rest is history.”
Over the course of the ensuing hour, the duo played music from a variety of artists including ASAP Ferg, Travis Scott and Future.
Near the end of the set, Anderson launched himself from the podium and crowd surfed among spectators for several minutes.
“This is a lot like Coachella,” Anderson said. “Except we”re in Idaho. And it”s raining.”
ILoveMakonnen took the stage as the final artist of the night, playing tracks from his self-titled albums and “Drink More Water 6″ mixtape.
“Wow, Idaho really does turn up,” Makonnen said. “You all represent one of the best states in America.”
The hip hop artist concluded the event by performing an unreleased track titled “Swimming in the Money.”
Rettner said he hopes Finals Fest 2016 paves the way for future events to be held outside on the SprinTurf.
“Obviously every board is going to have their own mission in terms of what they want to accomplish with the entertainment that they bring,” Rettner said. “But hopefully they take on the idea of putting the festival back in Finals Fest.”
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom