Things started to come together on Tuesday, March 25, when the Student Activities Board officially announced the final information surrounding ticket information for the Saint Louis University Spring Fever, as well as the final two acts for the spring concert: Tyler Hilton and Jo Dee Messina.
“Hilton brings a pop-culture feature to the stage, in addition to his music,” SAB President Ainsley Onstott said. “Messina is a well-known country icon, and when the opportunity was presented [to book her], we jumped on it.
“There seem to be so many country fans on campus, and [Messina] seemed like the perfect fit,” Onstott said.
Hilton and Messina join rapper Chingy and rock bands The Starting Line and Augustana to round out the acts for the “Rock, Rap, and Rawhide”-themed concert.
The show, which will take place on April 26 at the newly opened Chaifetz Arena, will start at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m., Onstott said.
In addition to the concert, there will be a carnival with rides, game booths run by student groups and refreshments upon entrance.
“Students with a SLU ID will receive a free wristband … which will provide them with unlimited ride access,” Onstott said. “Booths will require tokens to play that can be purchased at the event. Tickets won at the booth[s] will be turned in for a raffle for substantial prizes, which will be drawn during the concert later that evening.”
SAB planned the spring event with help from the Student Government Association.
“[SGA] helped formulate the initial idea of [the carnival],” SGA President Andrew Clifton said. “We’ve mainly helped with funding and financial resources … We’ve also tried to help on the school end, such as booking the arena parking lot and things like that.”
With all of the hype surrounding Spring Fever, some students were expecting more from the announced acts.
“I think it would have been better to see just one big band, as opposed to many [smaller ones],” junior Marybeth Logue said. “It’s always awesome to have someone that everyone knows.”
Freshman Stacie Turner, however, said that she understands the reasoning behind booking a variety of acts.
“It would have been cooler to have two big bands, but this pleases everyone,” she said.
The concert-carnival combination is something new for this year’s Spring Fever.
“I think there will be a lot more energy … and a more communal feel,” Clifton said. “People can spend the whole day going on rides and [then] kind of wind the night down with a long concert.”
Hilton will be the first to perform, followed by Chingy, The Starting Line, Messina and ending with Augustana. Other than the order, the concert schedule not yet been determined.
Tickets are free for SLU students with a valid SLU ID, and will be available starting Sunday, March 30, at 11 a.m.
Additional tickets may be purchased for $15 for alumni, faculty and staff and $25 for the general public.
Tickets will be available at the Office of Student Life (Suite 335, Busch Student Center) or Monday, March 31, at MetroTix.com or the Chaifetz Arena box office. The free student tickets will only available through the Office of Student Life.
