By Bianca Strzelczyk
Twenty minutes prior to the start of the Springfest concert, students were still filing in to the Matthews Arena. Some opted to sit in the red arena seats while other preferred to stand near the stage. From a distance, the floor was a mixture of college students and yellow clad Wizard security officers.
After months of preparation and obstacles, lost bids and dropped acts, CUP gave one last thank you to the audience before Less than Jake took the stage at 6 p.m on the dot. Opening with high-energy, the group attempted to get the seemingly quiet and unenergetic audience excited.
And halfway through their second song, it looked as though they had succeeded.
“Looks like you guys are finally awake,” said Less than Jake’s lead vocalist, Chris Demakes.
The group’s on-stage energy had lept into the crowd and rallied them up. Audience members excitedly jumped up and down and attempted to crowd surf.
Even those like Kiah Dremel, a freshman accounting major, who were not to familar with the band said they felt the incredible energy.
“I was surpriesd,” Dremel said about the band. “I have never heard them before. They made you have a good time and everyone was really into it.”
As the show progressed, more and more people from the seats crowded into the standing area and Less Than Jake continued with their high-paced performance, shooting roles of toilet paper and confetti into the crowd as well as styrofoam cylinders.
The members were very invovled with the show, consistently stopping to comment to the crowd and even asking to have the over head lights put on to flip-off the people who where sitting on the sides and not standing.
Starting at around 7:30 p.m., half an hour after Less Than Jake’s grand finale, Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys took the stage. They played for at least 15 minutes straight before stopping to greet the crowd, which had since returned from the break and filled down to the floor to the beat of Celtic rock.
Announcing they had some great covers, the group continued to play.
Although the band was not included in the primary line-up for the concert, Andy Sellars, CUP member and sophomore music industry major, felt Dropkick Murrphys were a strong addition to the lineup.
“They are as Boston as the Red Sox,” he said.
True to their Boston fame, the Dropkick Murphys made mention of the Red Sox and their World Series win.
“Isn’t it fun being a fan?” asked the Murphys.
The crowd cheered in response. The band then played the “Tessie,” an anthem some die-hard fans feel helped reverse the curse.
The crowd participated and sang along with many of the songs, specifically the Dropkicks’ cover of The Standells Boston anthem “Dirty Water.” By the end of the set, the floor was filled with even more people and the energy was at an ultimate high.
“The band had a great vibe,” said Bridget Twohig a freshman marketing major, “They were appropriate for Northeastern and perfect for Springfest.”
After the Murphys finished at 8:35 p.m. many members of the audience proceeded to leave.
“The first two bands had very high energy,” said Katie Fick a freshman communications major about why she left. “I didn’t think Moby fit very well with them.”
At around 9 p.m. Moby went on stage. Dressed all in black, the petite singer said, “This is a very ecclectic bunch,” noting he himself was different from the prior rock performers.
Trying to convince the crowd his personal show was more rock then techno he told Matthews “I’m going to perform a 35 second guitar solo.”
While Less Than Jake and Dropkick Murphys used profanity while speaking to the crowd, Moby’s style was clearly different as he made a point to say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you” after each song.
As the night progressed more and more people slowly started to file out, before the end of the concert. The seats in Matthew’s arena had practically emptied halfway through Moby’s set. Those who stayed however, were very into the show and felt Moby gave a great performance.
“I didn’t really notice the crowd leaving,” Dremel said. “He put on a great show and it was definitly worth the five bucks.”
When Moby ended with his popular song “South Side” at 10:50 p.m. the lights came up and the 2005 Springfest concert was over.
Almost 275 students headed out to afterHOURS where Dennis Haskins, better known as Mr. Belding from the 90s hit “Saved by the Bell” was hosting a post-Sprinfest party.
The students were allowed to sign in two guests into afterHOURS to see the actor and the venue reached capacity.
Haskins talked about his life and quizzed onlookers about the sitcom.
After he spoke, Haskins took photographs with students and stayed until the last photo was taken.
As the night wound down and Springfest came to an official close, CUP president Allyson Savin’s relief was evident.
“It feels really good to be done.”
