As summer came to an end, CU’s Program Council knew that it was time as always to welcome new (and old) classmates in incontestable CU fashion, with the annual Welcomefest.
From the “hipster-hop” of Hoody Allen, to the lasers from arguably one of the best light shows in the business, Ghostland Observatory, CU’s Program Council showed just how much influence they have in attracting big artists that can put on a great show for CU students.
“A lot of guys are going home happy tonight,” said Dan Brunsdon, the marketing director for Program Council. “This really is the start of a new chapter for Program Council. We’ve come to the point where we’re super efficient, and that efficiency converts into people having a great time.”
[nggallery id = 72]Saying Saturday night was a great time sells this year’s Welcomefest short. Many minds were blown dancing to Ghostland’s guitarist and singer Aaron Behrens, who was jumping around on stage in front of a huge visualizer backdrop and multiple lasers that shot out above the crowd on Farrand Field and into the Boulder night.
The crowd seemed to love every minute of it, with many jumping up and down to the electronic beats, guys putting girls up on their shoulders and crowd surfing. At one point a girl was taken on a ride above the crowd from close to the middle of Farrand Field all the way up to the stage where she was literally thrown into the VIP section, eventually being escorted out by Argus officials.
“People picked me up and I’m 5’3” so I’m pretty good crowd surfing size,” said Megan Klochy, a non-CU student that had connections into the show. “This was a must-see concert so me and my friends had to sneak in.”
Even though Welcomefest is supposed to be an exclusive concert for CU students, it’s hard to keep some Boulderites away from a rave. This year’s show featured a lot of different sponsors including Boulder Freeride, Live Nation and many others.
But no matter what, Welcomefest is always all about the students and the music.
“We’ve got the younger generation set here and the future of our crowds,” said Calvin Barrens from Live Nation. “It [electronic music] is growing into so many different categories, but this show is huge for sure.”
Welcomefest was huge this year, and for freshmen who just moved into their dorms earlier this week, it was an epic introduction to CU.
“I’ve been to a lot of concerts before, but nothing like this,” said Eric Hardwick, an 18-year-old freshman aerospace engineering major. “It was a really great light show and the crowd was really into it. I’m a fan of dubstep but I like it to be more complicated than the generic womp, and Ghostland was kind of trancelike with a lot of middle pitched beats that everyone seemed to enjoy.”
Welcome back, Buffs. It’s going to be a fun Fall.
Contact CU Independent Copy Editor Joe Wirth at Joseph.wirth@colorado.edu.
