By KATE PIERCE
Executive Editor
Rain was not a deterrent for students to be “Starstrukk” at Rose Rock, the largest campus concert of the year.
“It’s the best time of the year,” said Maria Henai, a senior. “I’ve gone to Rose Rock every year, even when I was drowning in finals.”
A campus tradition, Rose Rock was held on Saturday, April 28 and featured performances by four different artists, chosen by students from clubs and the student body. There are also inflatable lawn activities, games, merchandise sales, and some free food to characterize this Student Association sponsored activity.
Headlining the concert was 3OH!3, an electric pop band well known for their single “Don’t Trust Me.” The band is currently celebrating the ten year anniversary of their album “Want.”
Bandmembers Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte are no strangers to finals time for college students, as they started their band while enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
“They remind us of how and why we started,” said Motte, of performances at colleges like Saint Rose. “I remember being really stressed at finals.”
The band members said they felt honored to the finale of Saint Rose’s signature trio of events colloquially known as “Trifecta Weekend.”
“It’s great that all of the causes you aim to put forward everyone’s involved in,” said Foreman, in reference to Identity’s Drag show and Relay for Life.
Opening Rose Rock was student band Mark Manning and the Sexy Bitches. The group won the spot at the annual fall music competition, this year called “Fantasy Fest.”
Pursuing music in college is something that is near to 3OH!3, and they offered advice to performers like Manning and his band.
“It’s a game of longevity,” said Foreman. “You should build yourself a career that no one can take away from you.”
Building a repertoire of skills needed in the music industry is just as important as keeping in mind that aiming for a singular moment of fame is not sustainable, according to the pair.
Just before the rain started, rap group Clear Mind and DJ Siroc provided fresh hip hop beats as the band chosen by Spectrum, the ALANA Student Union.
“Everybody just comes together as a community,” said Isaiah Jet Vallejos, a first year student. “It’s really nice to see people hanging out.”
The Districts, an indie rock group chosen by the Music Industry Students Association, played on despite the rain, and the crowd jammed along with umbrellas in tow.
“I think the rain helped in keeping us cool,” said Sonia Morreira, the Student Association director of social activities. “People still came out with their umbrellas to enjoy the day.”
From the designing of the signature event t-shirts down to setting up trash cans on the quad for “garbage pong,” every detail of the event is planned by a committee within Student Association.
“I would definitely recommend for any students who are interested to be a part of Student Association to join the Rose Rock committee, which along with other students get to plan the theme and activities that go on during the day,” said Rebecca Ford, the DoSA for next year.
A beach party theme was apparent in decorations for the event, as well as tossing of beach balls around in the crowd during performances.
“Being on stage with an engaging and energized crowd was so fun,” said Kyra Vasquez, one of the masters of ceremony for the festivities.
Motte and Foreman believe that performing at college shows gives a chance for students to become experienced with planning shows and getting a feel for all of what it takes to throw a successful event.
“I think the committee is so essential to the success of this day,” said Morreira. “And I think that anyone who wants to make a real impact on the way things are organized should be part of the committee.”
Committee and crowd members alike were able to watch as each set of performers brought their own twist to the stage.
Part of 3OH!3’s performance included an improv piece about a “burger with a view” in reference to a crowd member who was eating while sitting on top of a friend’s shoulders. After receiving burgers from the food tent, one of the members provided a joke of parting wisdom.
“If there’s one thing we can teach you it’s that life is one big burger and we’re all just trying to have a bite,” said Motte.
