With high energy music from a trio of acts blaring across campus in the high winds of a far-off hurricane, Fall Fest Saturday proved to be a success.
Both the sun and the students came out to enjoy the three acts: Bencoolen, the Mowgli’s and Nico & Vinz. The Mowgli’s and Niko & Vinz dual headlined the performance for the first time in Fall Fest history.
As Nico & Vinz put it at the top of their set, “We is here to party.”
The success of the event is certainly relative to the turnout of this year’s Spring Fling, where few students attended in the wake of Action Bronson suddenly being cut from the lineup.
The rows of students dancing in front of the stage, hanging out in the grass and waiting in line for crepes from Crepeaway marked a difference from the spring’s low turnout.
Bencoolen – a band made of four GW students and one Georgetown University student – performed a unique and exciting set. Fraternity brothers, friends and fans came out in large numbers wearing the band’s shirts.
While some of their followers stuck around after their set, many left University Yard as soon as Bencoolen finished its performance with an impressive alternative rendition of Drake’s “Hold on, We’re Going Home.”
The crowd strengthened in numbers with the appearance of the Mowgli’s, a Los Angeles-bred band with high energy and electric vocals. Hits like “I’m Good” and “San Francisco” had the crowd waving their hands in the air. Katie Earl, the female lead singer of the group, enthusiastically reminded listeners to enjoy the school year.
Students rose to their feet and gravitated toward the stage to dance along with the Norwegian duo. Their energy and stage presence was strong enough to draw people away from the Crepeaway line. Hits like “Am I Wrong” and “In Your Arms” could be heard blocks away from the blaring speakers.
Even a giant Washington Nationals mascot couldn’t help but dance among the students, despite the weight of its large and wobbly head.
Along with the Nationals booth, other businesses in U-Yard included the 9:30 Club – offering a chance to win free tickets to upcoming shows like Grouplove on Nov. 9 – Crepeaway, Soul Cycle, Powerade and Domino’s Pizza.
Megan Stupi noted the crowd was seemingly dominated by freshmen.
“We come for the free pizza,” she said just barely audible over the sound of the Mowgli’s.
