The first night of Frontier Fiesta kicked off with live performances by four local bands, some of them returning performers from last year.
The performances started with The Dead Kings, followed by a returning performance from Learned Astronomer with a blues indie rock sound, leading into rap group Generation Y Records and Steven Rytter.
“I enjoyed the bands a lot. I came to see Learned Astronomer,” said liberal studies senior Joshua Robinson. “I don’t know them personally, but I saw them last year at Frontier Fiesta.”
Five members, including a bass guitarist, electric guitarist, drummer and lead singer, make up Learned Astronomer, the second band to perform. Lead singer Chris Rivera and the band played for an hour.
The band has been together since late 2012, and on top of that, they have all known each other since high school. Although the crowd had not yet formed, they kept the energy high and the lyrics flowing.
“Chris loves performing,” said hotel and restaurant management senior Taylor Tucker. “He loves the rush of being on stage and getting the chance to make everyone happy, dance and smile.”
Generation Y Records, a rap group, was the next to perform and also played for an hour. The band was formed when a group of friends came together rapping as a joke. Little did they know at the time, but they had something forming.
The group had never performed at Frontier Fiesta, but did take to the stage in November for Strut Your Stuff.
“We been rehearsing, we did not do anything for spring break,” said supply chain management junior and Generation Y Records band member Kevin Nguyen. “All we did was rehearse for Frontier Fiesta, and we made sure everything was perfect and on point.”
As the night went on, the crowd size and energy increased. The stage lights were flashing red, blue, green and orange as everyone screamed and clapped along with the performers.
The first night of Frontier Fiesta is only the beginning, but what a way to begin.
“I like what is going on, what I see and more importantly what I hear,” said computer information systems junior Kunle Oloyede. “I think it’s really good. I enjoyed this event, and the set up was really good.”
