By AARON KREIN
Arts Editor
Last night, The Saint Rose Public Relations and Advertising Club held their second consecutive music festival, Glowfest, in Saint Joe’s Auditorium. Set with spinning color lights across the room and bubbles floating down from the balcony, the attendance of over 50 students were treated to sets by Saint Rose music majors and alumni.
The event was brought back this year since it was successful based on a low budget, said PR and Advertising Club President and Senior Ariana Memoli. The club started planning as early as winter break. Most performers were selected based on auditions held at Jack’s Place at CCIM where acts played two songs each. Memoli said some artists, mostly rappers, sent in mixtapes as well.
“By putting these acts out tonight, we gave them a platform for them to be appreciated as musicians,” said Memoli.
Sophomore Christine Bile kicked off the event with four original songs backed up by Maddie Reese on acoustic bass. Bile said it was her first campus event since playing Rocktoberfest in 2015. Halfway through her track, “Who’s Listening,” Bile restarted and told the crowd she was “pulling an Adele.”
“It’s really hot up there but it’s honestly no pressure because everyone is chillen’,” said Bile.
Freshman Mark Manning followed with a backing band consisting of people on keyboard, drums, and background vocals. With original tracks such as “Try Again” and “Dream,” Manning encouraged the audience to come closer to the stage and enjoy like other festivals.
Hasty Page played a mix of original and cover tracks, bringing people together with a rendition of The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Freshman Josh Morris, the lead singer, told the crowd that “we’re just two thirds of Hasty Page because our bass player is in Florida.”
Other opening acts included ¡HA¡, Miss This, The Basis, and DJ Shaggy. All seven of the opening acts played about four songs each. In between sets, there were remixes of tracks such as Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” playing as people awaited the next performance. Around 10 p.m., audiences were treated to the festival’s headliners, Saint Rose alum Brian Jay and Bad Mothers.
This was Jay’s first performance on campus since graduating in 2014. He was more than welcome when asked by the PR and Advertising Club to headline.
“Saint Rose has done a lot for me and helped me develop as an artist. If I had the money, I’d donate a lot to the arts here,” said Jay.
According to the PR and Advertising Club Treasurer and Sophomore Jessica Holden, the line-up was expanded from last year.
The event was a team effort with numerous student clubs and organizations playing a part. The ALANA Steppers were giving away candy to people walking past their table. The Young Americans for Liberty were selling brownies, playing off the fact that it was Weed Day. Big Brothers Big Sisters were selling bags of chips. Acapella group, The Girls Next Door, sold lemonade and some of their merchandise while SRTV sold popcorn.
There were also activities such as water pong, a ring toss, and body paint offered on the right of the room. A new addition to Glowfest was the glow in the dark henna, which Memoli said was inspired by its current trendiness.
“I see it on Instagram all the time and in fashion magazines,” said Memoli. “I was like, ‘why not bring henna to Glowfest?’ It’s something that a lot of people think is beautiful and it celebrates a wonderful culture. We try to make an event that appeals to everyone.”
Holden said they bumped up their social media this year by creating a Snapchat geofilter and advertising more on Facebook. There was also a special VIP pass that came with a free food and drink voucher as well as a ticket for the raffle. A photo-op setup was also available for attendees to commemorate the festival.
Members of the PR and Advertising Club expressed that events like this one are healthy for students around this time of year.
“It’s a good way to bring people together at the end of the semester,” said Holden. “It’s a stressful time so it’s nice to have a break.”
Memoli said that Glowfest is a great way to bring people of separate majors into one room.
“We’re all stuck in different buildings,” said Memoli. “I want to see us come together as a student body because that’s what we are.”
