Live Music Association, or LMA, hosted the Fluorescents Adolescents DJ night in AfterHours Oct. 5. The lively event featured colorful lights, memorabilia from the early days of Tumblr, a cardboard cutout of Lana Del Rey and more.
Claire Molinich, a third-year political science and human services combined major and vice president of events at LMA, organized the occasion and was ecstatic to see it unfold.
“Tonight, we’re celebrating the early 2010s aesthetic Tumblr,” Molinich said. “I’ve always wanted to do this since I became special events chair. I’m excited to do this — dance, have fun and relive our early teen life.”
Although LMA has held several DJ nights before, this was the first time it hosted an event with such a niche theme. Previously, LMA sponsored events dedicated to the likes of Taylor Swift and One Direction. Regardless of its motif, LMA’s DJ nights aim to bring students together. Moreover, they create an enjoyable environment for students after a long week of classes or co-op — something that Molinich, who uses music as a way to relax after a long day, can attest to.
“I listen to all types of music. When I’m feeling nostalgic, I definitely listen to the alternatives of the 2000s and the 2010s,” Molinich said. “Everyone is here to dance and to feel 14 again.”
Organizing the event was a collaborative process, much like past LMA initiatives. Joshua Antony, president of LMA and a fourth-year health science major, was keen on making Fluorescent Adolescents happen, as playing 2010s music was pitched several times at the organization’s meetings.
“I think it’s a nostalgic era for a bunch of people on campus, [and] it was an idea we had for a long time,” Antony said. “We wanted to bring this idea to life.”
To help spread the word about the event to as many students as possible, LMA advertised the event extensively through avenues including, but not limited to, social media.
“We work together to create effective marketing campaigns,” said Anna Chalnick, a third-year communication and media studies combined major and LMA’s vice president of marketing. “This event spreads nostalgia on 2010s music.”
Creating the playlist was also a collaborative process. The playlist was made by members of the executive board of LMA, who each selected a few 2010s songs to play for the event. It included songs from artists such as Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys and Marina and the Diamonds. Students danced and called out when they knew a song, such as Halsey’s “Gasoline” — students said it reminded them of the old days when they would listen to this type of music.
The attendees danced with each other and took pictures with the cardboard cutout of Del Rey, which was on the stage. Lights changed color and intensity in accordance with the song’s tone, fluctuating between bright, radiant hues and moody, atmospheric ones. Students took group photos and filmed each other to remember the joyful moments of the night.
“I attended this event because I used to be a very big 2014-alt girlie,” said Mia Hutchinson, a second-year psychology and human services major and attendee at the event. “It felt right to come to this event and relive my youth, essentially. This was the perfect outlet.”
