Festapalooza Rocks Burt Kahn

New music, local food, and WQAQ’s faithful listeners filled Burt Kahn on Friday, April 20. The Quinnipiac radio station hosted its first ever Festapalooza—a more alternative music festival.

Besides The Midnighters, other acts included Great Caesar and The Guru, both from the Connecticut area. Bomb the Music Industry, The Front Bottoms and Titus and Andronicus also played to the enthusiastic Quinnipiac crowd.

WQAQ, Quinnipiac University’s radio station, sponsored and hosted the event. Kyle Murphy, general manager of the station, welcomed people to the festival and raffled off various prizes for students to win.

Great Caesar performed several songs from past albums, and debuted new songs from their upcoming one, saying they saw their biggest crowd ever at the event. Band merchandise could be purchased at tables at the event, as well.

Students were able to enter the event free of charge, and general admission for non-students was only. Local vendors included Griff’s Chicken Shack, Giant Dumpling and

Peachy Keen provided a free buffet for students. A number of Quinnipiac organizations were also set up in Burt Kahn, including Students for Environmental Action and the Anime Club.

“I thought Festapalooza went really well,” said Lisa Copland, a sophomore film, video and interactive media major. “There was a really good turnout and the bands were awesome.”

The doors opened at 5:30 p.m. as students were able to enjoy the local food before the show began around 6:30 p.m.

With students lounging around Burt Kahn before the start of the show, it began to look like an outdoor concert inside the court. When the music began, students danced along and WQAQ beach balls flew through the air.

“I think it'd be nice if it was on the quad outside if the weather allows,” Copland said.

“WQAQ should definitely make this a tradition because people would definitely go.”

The bands expressed their gratitude for WQAQ giving them the opportunity to play their music to such a receptive crowd, and to be able to keep college radio alive at Quinnipiac.

“We’ve played before for Quinnipiac,” said Great Caesar’s lead singer during their set. “But this is the largest crowd we’ve had.”