The University of Idaho hosted its annual Finals Fest, featuring Yodi Mac and 6LACK.
Kendyl Smith, a sophomore working for Vandal Entertainment, said she felt the concert was successful from start to finish.
“From set up, to artist arrival and soundcheck, things went really smoothly,” Smith said. “We don’t know the turn out yet, we have to see how many wristbands we have left.”
Smith said Vandal Entertainment is listening for the opinions of students to determine which genre and artists they try to bring to the university.
“It is the job for next year’s board to plan Finals Fest, but generally we look for up-and-coming artists,” Smith said. “We base decisions on the voice of the students. So, keep an eye out for our survey in the fall.”
6LACK performs at Finals Fest Saturday evening on the SprinTurf Alex Stutzman | Argonaut
Smith thanked various members of Vandal Entertainment for making Finals Fest a success.
“Vandal Entertainment has been planning Finals Fest since last semester,” Smith said. “Our board chair, Shelbs Burkhart, and advisor Katie Dahlinger have put in countless hours of time and effort into making it a success.”
Megan Pape, a sophomore at UI, said she knew of 6LACK before Vandal Entertainment announced he would be headlining Finals Fest, but said she was unfamiliar with Yodi Mac’s work.
“I didn’t know Yodi Mac, but I’m definitely a fan now,” she said.
Pape said she enjoys many genres of music because she respects the level of passion and determination it takes for people to follow their dreams.
“It is something someone strives to do every day,” Pape said. “If they have something they want to say to the world, and people enjoy it, there is no reason to stop.”
Pape said given the opportunity, she would see 6LACK or Yodi Mac in concert again, because their music makes people happy and brings people together.
“I just enjoyed being there with my friends and enjoying it with other people I only just met,” Pape said. “I would see them in concert again if the occasion arises.”
Although she said she enjoyed the artists, Pape said Vandal Entertainment should try to diversify the genre of music they bring to Finals Fest.
“I would definitely have an alternative artist or country singer or something. Change up the scene to attract different crowds of students here at the university.” Pape said. “I feel that is definitely important.”
Nicole Ramey, also a sophomore on campus, said she left Finals Fest early because she didn’t enjoy the opening artist, and the weather began to turn ugly early in the concert.
“It just wasn’t my kind of music,” Ramey said. “I enjoy techno music, but not that kind of trap music. I enjoy the kind of rap and techno music I can understand and hear clearly, rather then it just being loud. The weather was the biggest issue though.”
Ramey also suggested Vandal Entertainment expand their music base when scheduling performers for Finals Fest.
“I don’t have a specific artist in mind, but they should really do somebody other than a rapper,” Ramey said. “They should really expand their base.”
Andrew Ward can be reached at [email protected]