Springfest 2019 blends genres with 2 Chainz, King Princess and MisterWives

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Photo courtesy Kelsey Glass

2 Chainz performs Saturday night at Northeastern’s Springfest concert in Matthews Arena.

Ali Dusinberre, deputy lifestyle editor

Students filed into Matthews Arena Saturday night to see 2 Chainz, King Princess and MisterWives perform live at Northeastern’s annual Springfest concert, hosted by the Council for University Programs, or CUP.

From MisterWives’ cheerful melodies to King Princess’ raw, refreshing pop and 2 Chainz’s iconic rap, CUP’s Springfest 2019 had something for everyone.

MisterWives took the stage first with lead singer Mandy Lee’s colorful two-piece suit and uplifting comments about positivity matching her energy throughout the set.

The indie-pop band delivered an energetic, cheerful performance, playing songs from its albums Connect the Dots and Our Own House. Lee’s powerful vocals and captivating stage presence quickly brought hands to the air, with audience members waving and clapping along to songs like their unreleased “Why Why Why.”

The band slowed it down about halfway through their set with a cover of “Dreams” by The Cranberries — an opportunity for Lee to “catch [her] breath,” she said on stage. They opened the song swaying leisurely and snapping in unison, but by the chorus Lee was bouncing across the stage again, encouraging the audience to sing along with her.

“You guys sound so beautiful,” Lee said during an instrumental portion of the song.

MisterWives finished the set with “Drummer Boy,” written by Lee for Etienne Bowler, her husband and the band’s percussionist.

Pop artist King Princess, whose real name is Mikaela Straus, slowed down the pace of the night but maintained all of MisterWives’ conviction.

“What’s up, college?” King Princess said when she stepped onstage. “I’ve never been.”

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Brooklyn exhibited an air of pleasant nonchalance with her denim overalls and playful comments to the crowd about how she was only there for 2 Chainz. But the passion in her raw, bluesy vocals was unmistakable in songs like “Talia” and “1950” from her EP Make My Bed.

“Do we have any gays here?” said the singer, who’s been dubbed a “queer icon” more than once, toward the beginning of her set. She paused for a response before adding, “I see all four of you.”

King Princess kept the crowd engaged throughout — especially with her boldly-titled single “Pussy Is God,” a song that approaches the word in a more intimate way than most pop music.

After King Princess exited the stage, crowds of people left the venue, but others flooded in. Anticipation grew during the wait for 2 Chainz as streams of red light washed over the stage to introduce DJ E.Sudd around 9 p.m.

The audience erupted in shouts and applause when 2 Chainz finally came on, shifting the sentimental atmosphere established by the previous act. He encouraged the audience to shine the flashlights on their phones as he opened with “No Problem,” the 2016 single by Chance the Rapper that he and Lil Wayne are featured on.

“Whoever wanted me to come, I appreciate y’all,” the rapper said.

2 Chainz’s happy energy interacted with an already excited crowd, which responded enthusiastically as he asked for cheers based on identifiers such as year of study.

“Where are my smart ladies at? Where are my educated women at?” he asked between songs, receiving emphatic feedback.

The set started with a number of songs that 2 Chainz is featured on, like YG’s “Big Bank” and Juicy J’s “Bandz a Make Her Dance.” But the rapper didn’t hold out in playing his originals, eventually performing some of his hits including “It’s a Vibe,” “I’m Different” and “Watch Out.”