On Sunday night, UB mobbed with A$AP, putting in work through heavy rain and several delays for a show that seemed like it might not even happen from the start. Nonetheless, the artists who performed and the fans that joined them through hours of downpour came together for a memorable concert on Lake LaSalle.
The line began to form around 1 p.m., four hours before doors opened. Clouds cast a grey light over the crowd and cool air came over the lake, threatening to open the sky with rain for most of the day.
The atmosphere was eerily reminiscent of the last Student Association concert, on Sept. 1, when Reel Big Fish almost could not perform due to rain and lightning. While the lightning stayed at bay for Fall Fest, the rain came and poured on fans for the duration of the four-hour show.
Once again, the UB community proved that a little rain would not keep them away or stop them from having a good time, as the show had a large attendance with most fans sticking it out for the entire performance.
More than 3,500 students attended the show, according to SA Entertainment Coordinator Marc Rosenblitt. Official numbers for fans in attendance were not available by the time of publication.
Speckled throughout the crowd amongst a sea of crop tops and high-wasted booty shorts were signature A$AP fashion items: Comme des F***down hats, A$AP t-shirts, gold grills and chains.
Loyal fans proved they came dressed to impress and prepared to party. The rain sent the non-diehard fans packing, leaving only dedicated members of the A$AP Mob to get wild for the night.
A$AP Rocky, the headliner for the show, and A$AP Ferg showed their appreciation by playing many of their most popular songs. They stopped often during the show to thank the fans and encourage them to live by the A$AP code of "Always $trive And Prosper" - to do great things and enjoy life, especially while young and in college, a place they remember being in before dropping out to chase their dreams.
Rocky proved to be a master of the crowd. His delivery, verses and dialogue were perfectly timed and aggressive - he delivered a punch to the audience with each new song. Ferg matched this energy as he emerged with other members of the A$AP Mob for a collaborative effort to get the crowd going.
The rain would not let up for the entire evening. As fans grew cold and tired, it seemed that despite all efforts from A$AP, the crowd would not be able to match the energy the artists were bringing for the performance.
Rather than give up on the students who weathered the storm, A$AP moved the crowd on stage.
Rocky stopped the music and called for any member of the crowd who thought they could prove they were wild enough to join the crew to do so. He was looking to start a party, not just put on a show.
In a matter of minutes, a group of approximately 30 members of the crowd, almost entirely females, had joined A$AP on stage for a night they will likely never forget.
Ivory Vasquez, 22, and Mary Joseph, 23, both of Buffalo, agreed that it was one of the best nights of their lives.
"It was the best experience I've ever had," Joseph said after coming off the stage. "I've been dreaming of this - it was on my bucket list."
Those lucky enough to make it on stage were the only ones who had a chance to get close with A$AP. As for the other performers, Super Mash Bros. and Ace Hood, students got to enjoy their presence not only from the audience but also in meet-and-greet sessions that allowed a select few students to meet with the artists after their performances.
Dick Fink was the only Super Mash Bro able to perform for the UB audience on Sunday, as the other member of the duo was unable to attend due to a canceled plane flight. After his performance, Fink explained that he was a little nervous to perform alone, but the crowd quickly responded in a way that made the experience easy for him.
"The show must go on," Fink explained. "Everyone's so nice around here - I can't believe it. The crowd killed it."
Fink played his "mash-up" soundtracks for nearly an hour to open the show. The mash-up is essentially a continuous track of other artists' work arranged in a remix with added beats and sounds. Fink and his partner, Nick Fenmore, mix the songs to create one high-energy mix from a wide array of genres and periods in popular music history.
Sprinkled in with Taylor Swift was a selection of old and new, hip-hop and rock, mainstream and alternative. Even a sound clip from "Chappelle's Show" snuck into the mix.
Ace Hood came on and set the tone for the remainder of the show, which consisted entirely of hip-hop. His beats dropped hard and shook the crowd with excitement.
Ace Hood geared his performance very specifically toward Buffalo and its fans, which seemed to only make him more loveable in the hazy eyes of the rain-soaked crowd. He repeatedly expressed his love for the fans of the city and pointed out his fitted Buffalo Bills hat, which matched the rest of his outfit.
What Ace Hood did best was cut the music for several long, a cappella freestyle raps. He proved his lyrical talent and held the audience's attention - not an easy task in the weather or in anticipation for the headliner.
The scene at Fall Fest had its usual array of debauchery: students passed out on the ground, victims of too much alcohol or other substances being carried away in stretchers and others being escorted away from the venue by police. At least two fights broke out.
Senior mathematics and economics major Gabriel Martinez watched as one of his friends got into an altercation with another male, both of whom were ejected from the venue by University Police. Martinez noted that the police handled the situation and did what they had to do to keep the peace.
In another altercation, students gathered in the middle of the crowd as two males fought. Immediately after the fight diffused, the circle remained in tact for a twerk contest between acts.
In the face of the rain, audience members stuck around for hours. For the second year in a row, Fall Fest took place outdoors.
The next SA concert will be held during the spring semester.
email: arts@ubspectrum.com
