What was once a low-key blues festival on Wish Field drawing a few hundred students has since grown up into a full-blown evening concert and rite for many students. And when FEST turns 30 years old this year, Big Sean will help DePaul celebrate.
DePaul Activities Board (DAB) announced the 2015 lineup Thursday at Battle, the annual competition of DePaul bands and DJs. In addition to headliner Big Sean, American Authors and Milo Greene are set to perform. Producers Milo & Otis will play After Hours, a free show at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
“We’re adding a lot of new little things that will make it a special thing that we haven’t done in the past,” FEST Assistant Haley Bensen said. “We’re definitely putting more creativity into the event because it is the 30th anniversary.”
At Battle DAB raffled off a VIP package, which includes a viewing area on the patio of University Hall and food.
Bensen said artist decisions are partially based on student feedback given on DAB’s annual survey, which circulated earlier this academic year. Though Big Sean is also booked at more than a dozen other colleges across the county — including Princeton University, University of Illinois and Indiana University — Bensen said this likely was due to his young adult audience demographic.
Some Princeton University students protested his performance because they said his lyrics were misogynistic and homophobic. Princeton paid $60,000 to book Big Sean, but DAB would not comment on its artist budget.
After the announcement, students at Battle and in the quad voiced their excitement for FEST and Big Sean.
Tickets go on sale at Monday, May 11 in the Lincoln Park and Loop student centers and cost $10. FEST is only open to current DePaul students, and attendees may only purchase one ticket.
