Despite cold, Busta Rhymes makes U. clap

Despite forecasts calling for rain and low temperatures, students still packed into the stands of Franklin Field Friday night for the annual Spring Fling concert.

The lineup sponsored by the Social Planning and Events Committee -- which included headliner Busta Rhymes as well as OK Go, The Donnas and Jurassic 5 -- encouraged many to brave the cold.

"I think they picked a really good slate," Wharton freshman Andrea Hong said.

"It's a little bit cold, but the atmosphere still makes it a good time," College freshman Amar Gala said.

However, students found some acts more worth their while than others.

"I thought Jurassic 5 was amazing," said College junior Raman Unnikrishnan.

In an attempt to express his sentiments concerning The Donnas, one Wharton freshman said, "I couldn't say anything more negative."

Students also had mixed reactions to the concert's new venue, having traditionally been held on Hill Field. Rather than being able to roam freely about Hill Field, students were restricted to stadium seats, unless they had been selected by lottery to be able to enjoy the concert on ground level.

"I wish it was at Hill Field," College sophomore Guillermo Marx admitted. "Here I'm confined to be sitting down. There's no reason for us to be sitting. I want to be out of control."

But according to Wharton and Engineering sophomore Emily Burnett, the new location made the concert more enjoyable than in previous years. "I could actually see," she said.

College senior Chidinma Ibe was happy to be able to sit down. "Hill Field is too chaotic," she said.

When the first band OK Go took the stage at 7 p.m., students were slowly trickling in and settling into their seats. By the time the third act, Jurassic 5, went on at around 9:30 p.m., the stands were filled with energy as students started standing up and dancing along to Jurassic 5's music.

With three acts preceding headliner Busta Rhymes' appearance, some students complained about the wait.

"It's taking too long for the good stuff," Columbia University freshman Vivek Vasudevan said.

"Busta should come on earlier," said College junior David Gallin at around 10 p.m., with still over an hour until the rapper's appearance. "There are too many acts before him."

However, some expected to wait and planned accordingly.

College senior Zhi Li said that he didn't arrive at the concert until 9:30 p.m., although the doors opened at 6:30 p.m. "Since I'm a senior, I know there's going to be a long wait," he said.

Four hours and 20 minutes into the show, Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star and DJ Scratch took the stage. And just as Busta says in his recent hit "I Know What You Want," he seemed to know just what Penn wanted, performing songs such as "Make It Clap" and "Pass the Courvoisier."

On Busta's command, students sang along to the music, waved their hands in the air, jumped to the beat, shouted and screamed throughout the hour-long performance.

"It was sweet seeing everyone's hands in the air," said College junior Daniel Quon. "The Penn community was really coming together. We work hard and play hard."

However, College junior Arie Dosoretz felt differently.

"I didn't like his you-versus-me attitude," Dosoretz said, describing Busta's rapport with the audience as "antagonizing."

According to College sophomore and SPEC Concerts Co-Director Ashley Wolff, the show, which ended a little after midnight, was a success with "no major disasters and only one ejection."

However, Wolff admitted that "because of the weather, there wasn't as big of a turnout" as had been expected.

But with the precipitation reaching only a light drizzle, the Spring Flingers who did make it out got to experience Franklin Field -- getting its Fling on.

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