It's no secret that after the announcement of WVU's FallFest lineup this past weekend, there was some major disappointment and grumbles going on around campus. I'm not here to defend the lineup, because, frankly, it was pretty bad. However, I am here to highlight the positives, which, despite all of the hate, there were some. Though I wasn't able to catch MisterWives, and only saw half of Brothers Osbourne, there's some definite credit to be handed out.
1. The overall performance
While everyone was excited last year when 21 Savage made his way to Morgantown, there was some definite disappointment after his performance. His music may have been more popular, but his performance was lacking and he really was not onstage for very long, considering he was the "main act". Lil Yachty outperformed 21 by a mile with a true "f*ck security" type of attitude. From crowd surfing, mosh pits, singing in the crowd, and much more, Yachty really controlled the crowd and brought the energy. At one point, I even found myself on the ground, lost hat and lost glasses, being trampled–not my proudest moment, but still a great time!
2. The music variety
Though each year WVU tries their best to provide a variety of genres at FallFest, this year really did that for me. Though indie pop and country aren't everyone's cup of tea, neither is rap. I think many students, particularly those who don't listen to music like Lil Yachty's, appreciated the other options. Plus, Brothers Osborne's rendition of "Country Roads" was definitely loved by all.
3. The security
I know this may seem like a weird or silly one, but it's seriously something that can affect how you enjoy a concert. For those that were at FallFest last year, you may remember intense security removing people, spraying them with hoses, and just generally being extremely strict. Whether it was Lil Yachty's presence or just a generally more relaxed approach, I don't know, but the security was considerably and noticeably less strict. It truly just made for a much more enjoyable FallFest experience for all.
4. The wristbands
Again, I know this may seem like a weird thing to highlight, but sometimes it's the little things that make a difference. This year, the university decided to incorporate a wristband system, much like that of popular music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and more. The choice to use a system like this made the entire FallFest and FoodFest experience much more smooth and enjoyable. Not only was entry quick and easy, as IDs didn't have to be scanned, a meal was loaded onto each wristband for FoodFest, opposed to the chips that were given out last year and lost by many.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hating on the FallFest lineup prior to the performance (because I was), and I would also be lying if I said I still wasn't kind of disappointed in the acts they brought (again, because I am), but I do feel the need to give credit where it's due. Despite all the hate and backlash Lil Yachty, Brothers Osborne, and MisterWives received, they truly performed their hearts out and gave me a FallFest to remember.
