FallFest was a resounding success Friday as record attendance forced the A.S. Council to close entry gates to RIMAC Arena, barring many students from entering the event.
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Afroman acted as a last-minute substitute for Toya, joining Alien Ant Farm and Warren G in this year’s concert lineup.
“”[The performers] kept the crowd bouncing,”” said Muir sophomore Jenny Damman. “”Who says UCSD is an academic institution?””
About 4,800 filled the arena, which has a capacity of 4,700. Students lined up from the entrance of the arena to Hopkins Drive, reaching almost the entire length of RIMAC Field. Some students arrived two hours before the event started, ignoring the air jumps, obstacle courses and Velcro jumps A.S. Council provided for additional entertainment.
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Over 1,500 students in line were barred from entering the event.
“”People started rushing through the gates,”” said A.S. Vice President Finance Sam Shooshtary. “”However, security did a wonderful job.””
Many students were unhappy and frustrated with being barred from entering.
“”This is our A.S. money,”” said Muir sophomore Kristin Kelley. “”They should’ve accommodated all of us. With big bands, they should at least have enough space.””
Other students who were left out had similar complaints.
“”They should start allocating more money for bigger venues,”” said Muir junior Brian Perry.
Citing “”totally unexpected”” attendance, A.S. Co-Festivals Coordinator Brandon Freeman had no choice but to close the gates.
“”We knew there were a lot of people,”” Freeman said. “”We honestly didn’t think 5,000 students would come.””
A.S. Commissioner of Programming Eisha Christian thinks her office did the best it could in accomodating the audience.
“”We investigated going outside, but we didn’t have the budget,”” Christian said. “”True, more people would’ve come, but the concert wouldn’t have been great.””
Afroman, also known as Joseph Foreman, was the first performer of the night. He performed a 45-minute set that was marked by frequent references to sex and drugs.
The music started when Afroman greeted an enthusiastic and upbeat crowd.
Telling the audience that he created a new song on his way to San Diego, Afroman started off with “”You Suck Wonderful Tonight,”” a parody of Eric Clapton’s “”Wonderful Tonight.””
Afroman’s performance quickly resonated among the crowd as he embraced the fans and gave them high fives in the middle of his performance. He ended his set with “”Because I Got High.””
After Afroman, it was Alien Ant Farm’s turn and many students ran down to the arena floor to get closer to the stage. Alien Ant Farm played songs such as “”Stranded”” and “”Movies”” from their latest album, “”ANThology.””
Halfway through the performance, they brought out bongo drums. When they played “”Smooth Criminal,”” a cover of Michael Jackson’s hit, the crowd went wild.
Alien Ant Farm’s lead singer Dryden Mitchell appreciated UCSD and its students.
“”It’s a beautiful college,”” Mitchell said. “”I live two minutes from UCR. This place stomps over it.””
Warren G followed Alien Ant Farm and the crowd was quick to applaud the last performer of the night. Before he approached the stage, the crowd chanted his name with anticipation.
Warren G was enthusiastic to perform for the students.
“”I just wanted to thank you guys,”” he said.
The audience was particularly fond of Warren G.
“”I love it,”” Warren G said. “”This is one of the liveliest crowds I ever rocked for.””
