West Virginia University’s annual FallFest will celebrate the start of the 2013 fall semester on August 19. The concert, set to begin at 6 p.m. on the Mountainlair Plaza, will include performances by Pretty Lights; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis; Ciara; Capital Cities; and Colt Ford. Event gates will open at 5:30 p.m. This free event is open to WVU students only. Students must present their valid WVU student ID to enter. WVU students are permitted one non-student guest.
Pretty Lights—Pretty Lights, the dubstep/electronica alter ego of Derek Smith, has been sending crowds into frenzies with intense light shows and heavy beats since he began performing in 2006. Pretty Lights has performed before huge crowds at Bonnaroo, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Ultra Music Festival. Just this year, Pretty Lights released two albums: “A Color Map of the Sun” and its essential companion, “Live Studio Sessions From a Color Map of the Sun.” These albums are proving to be a turning point for the performer. “A Color Map” finds Smith taking Pretty Lights’ trademark combo of gritty, crate-digging hip-hop, speaker-shredding digital thump, and instrumentally-based psychedelia to new heights. Pretty Lights is scheduled to perform at approximately 10:20 p.m.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis—A hip-hop duo from Seattle, Wash., Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have emerged as a premier international hip-hop group known for their electrifying live shows, and their expertly crafted music and innovative music. They have broken new ground by independently releasing their debut full-length album, “The Heist,” which shot to No. 1 on iTunes, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and was certified Gold without the support of a traditional record label. They recently made Billboard history as the first duo to ever send their first two singles to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. They currently have three singles (“Same Love,” the platinum-selling “Can’t Hold Us,” and the six-time platinum-selling “Thrift Shop”) charting in the top 40. Their single “Same Love,” whose lyrics and video support marriage equality, galvanized young fans and voters, and led to live studio performances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Colbert Report.” Their music video for the hit single “Can’t Hold Us” has garnered critical acclaim and more than 60 million views. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are scheduled to perform at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Ciara— Ciara is a global superstar whose infectious tunes have resulted in multi-platinum albums, smash singles and a truckload of awards. Her dazzling dance moves have mesmerized audiences worldwide. “The First Lady of Crunk & B,” as she is described by Lil Jon, has a long history of collaborations with some of pop’s biggest names, including Justin Timberlake (“Love Sex Magic”), Ludacris (“Ride”), Usher (“Turn It Up”), and 50 Cent (“Can’t Leave ‘Em Alone”). Her fifth studio album, “Ciara,” also features two tracks with Nicki Minaj—”I’m Out,” and “Livin’ It Up.” Ciara’s single “Body Party” debuted on radio stations across the country in July and the video for the song is nominated for Best Choreography at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Ciara is scheduled to perform at approximately 7:40 p.m.
Capital Cities—Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, the frontmen behind the breakout alt-dance group Capital Cities, are a success story spawned by the Internet that has continued to blossom. The Los Angeles-based act took both the blogosphere and the shores of California by storm with their self-titled debut EP. Their electronic-infused pop rock makes the perfect soundscape for a day at the beach or a night on the town. “Safe and Sound,” from their 2013 release “In a Tidal Wave of Mystery,” is currently No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 on the Pop Songs charts and climbing. Capital Cities is scheduled to perform at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Colt Ford—Colt Ford’s effortless blend of rap and country rock is difficult to categorize. It isn’t one or the other, but something in between. Ford’s genre-defying sound is exactly why he’s becoming so increasingly popular. An accomplished songwriter, Ford has written material for Montgomery Gentry, Bone Crusher, Jermaine Dupri, and he co-wrote Jason Aldean’s mega-hit “Dirt Road Anthem.” In 2012, Ford released “Declaration of Independence,” of which the album’s title-song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 200. The album featured collaborations with Jason Aldean, Montgomery Gentry, Corey Smith and Darius Rucker. Colt Ford is scheduled to open the show at approximately 6 p.m.
FallFest is free to WVU students with valid WVU student IDs. Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. (Please note: the Mountainlair will be closed from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) A special tent will be set up in front of the Mountainlair beginning at 6 p.m. to assist WVU students with ID questions. WVU students are permitted one guest age 17 or older and must obtain a guest ticket at the tent in front of the Mountainlair. Legal beverages will be available in the Mountainlair Ballroom to students 21 and older. Alternative beverages and food will also be available on the Mountainlair Plaza. The PRT will run until 1 a.m. Buses will run between the Mountainlair and Towers until 1 a.m.
Concert-goers should note that no smoking will be permitted at FallFest in accordance with WVU’s tobacco-free campus policy. No purses, backpacks, or bags of any kind will be permitted inside the FallFest gates. Glow sticks are also prohibited. As an additional safety measure, all concert-goers will be subject to a random security check and wanding before entering the gates.
Set times are approximate and subject to change. FallFest is a rain or shine event. This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional event information, call 304-293-SHOW, or visit events.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
dr/08/15/13
CONTACT: David Ryan, WVU Arts and Entertainment
304.293.8222 (Media); 304.293.7469 (Public)
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