Freestylin’
Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke got close and personal with Syracuse University students at Sunday’s Juice Jam Festival.
In a preppy blue polo shirt with a proudly popped collar, Okereke jumped off stage, past the barriers and into the middle of the dancing, clapping crowd while the band performed its latest single ‘Mercury.’
After that moment, the crowd was sold to Bloc Party, who only played until 5:30 p.m. due to a slight drizzle. With enough onstage energy to spark most of the festival goers into standing up and dancing, the British alternative rock juggernauts successfully ended what had been a day of constantly rising energy.
The festival kicked off at 1 p.m., with Syracuse alumni Ra Ra Riot taking the stage for 40 minutes, followed by rapper Talib Kweli. The crowd was at its peak during Kweli’s set in terms of attendance and energy – the hip-hop star commanded the crowd into hand-bouncing and fist-pumping sprees in almost every song.
With about 4,000 people in attendance, the festival was one the most successful events University Union has hosted, said Kelly Bertog, director of UU Concerts.
‘We proved today to ourselves, to the student body, and even to school administration that bringing quality artists that the students are looking for, even if they have less name recognition, makes for an unbelievable show,’ Bertog said.
While many students exited the South Campus field after Kweli’s set, the remaining crowd for Bloc Party was still substantial. Most were on their feet, while earlier in the day most students listened to the show while sitting on the hillside.
Between Okereke’s stage presence and the effects-driven sound of lead guitarist Russell Lissack, Bloc Party put on an impressive performance. Stepping into the electronic music realm, Bloc Party used live recording techniques to loop vocal lines or have backing tracks.
The band was lighthearted, with Okereke asking several times where the band could stop by after the show. After a quick false exit, the band returned with white towel togas and Okereke in a Syracuse basketball jersey, much to the crowd’s satisfaction.
The midday show had a relaxed atmosphere like any music festival, but more intimate. Bertog said that after the performance, Bloc Party noted how much they enjoyed play for a smaller crowd, and the crowd seemed to really appreciate the music. On Saturday night, the band had performed at the Virgin Mobile Festival in Toronto to an audience of about 30,000.
‘They don’t really play college shows a lot, so they got to see what it’s like to have bunch of 20-something energetic, college kids to play to,’ he said.
Morgan Nowak, a sophomore aerospace engineering major, thought Bloc Party put on a great show. He said he was impressed by UU’s capabilities in bringing quality acts.
‘I think they (UU) do a pretty good job,’ he said. ‘I was surprised they could get Bloc Party.’
Bertog said he knew it was a gamble to have a show with a rap artist and indie rock bands, but it turned out to be a successful combination.
‘You don’t need a top act or someone who’s been on the Disney Channel to appear to the student body,’ he said.
University Union has often received complaints over the years for not having enough diversity in its program, or just making poor choices on whom to bring. But Bertog said this year’s Juice Jam lineup was a step in the right direction for the organization since it reached two different types of music fans.
‘We try to program with all of campus in mind,’ he said. ‘Now we’ll try to find some artists that will appeal to a different group, and maybe a reach 2,000 kids who didn’t show up today.’
Sophomore communication design major Matt Smiroldo noted that the $10 ticket price for all three acts made the concert a bargain, with the bonus of having a diverse, relaxed crowd.
‘(Juice Jam) is bigger than last year because of the multiple genres,’ he said. ‘Here, we have a mix. I like it. It’s a step toward the future.’
Adam Gould, who graduated from SU in 2005 and runs local concert venue Funk ‘n Waffles, was equally happy to see all kinds of people having a good time, people who might otherwise not be at the same show.
‘Music is just the universal language,’ he said. ‘You don’t know have to know how to speak it or play it; everyone loves music. It’s one way to bring everyone together and upgrade our entire social scene, to bring a lot more music.’
Published on September 7, 2008 at 12:00 pm
