Written by RYAN HOWE
www.usishield.com
I walked into the Physical Activities Center (PAC at the University of Southern Indiana) a SpringFest virgin Saturday (April 14). I’ve only been here two years, and last year’s line up was not worth wasting $20 on, and this year’s was barely worthy, but Karmin sold me on it.
I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know how big of a turn out to expect or how they would arrange the stage, but as soon as I walked in the stage impressed me. They arranged the PAC to look like a venue, and I was pleasantly surprised.
What I always seem to forget is how warm inside concerts get when everyone piles together an hour beforehand and complain. I was ready for Karmin to take the stage. I had high hopes for their performance and wanted to get the show on the road.
Finally, when they took the stage, they immediately demanded the attention of the audience and wasted no time connecting with them. They performed the first two songs playing the crowd and bringing a quirky pop feel. I liked the performance at first, but as soon as they started talking to the audience, I fell in love.
The Internet sensations took the stage with a humble attitude and seemed grateful that anyone showed up the show. Their attitude on stage sometimes contradicts the music they were playing. Everyone knows Karmin as the duo that covered “Look at Me Now” on YouTube, and they brought that same hip-hop feel to some of their original songs, but when the music wasn’t on they both seemed awkward, which played in their favor.
I could tell they were both used to performing on stage and were a great choice to bring to the SpringFest stage.
The headliner Mike Posner was my concern. I have heard his songs before, and while they are catchy I’m not sure he draws in the college crowd. I was wrong, he drew in the college crowd, and more specifically he drew in the college women.
I have never been to a concert where the women thought it would be a good idea to wear six-inch heels and skirts that barely cover their fanny. Everyone was looking to impress, and immediately I knew why.
Mike Posner exudes seduction. From his soft whispering voice and overly sexual lyrics to his charming face and confident attitude, everything about him screamed sex.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed myself. He put on a good show and involved the crowd during every song. The best part were his covers. He covered R. Kelly’s “Ignition,” Oasis’s “Wonderwall” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” His Adele cover was by far the most entertaining as he played the bass drum.
Posner seemed to want to get as personal with the crowd as possible. He continually played them and tried to involve them and even pulled one girl on stage, sang to her, kissed her and gave her a teddy bear.
The most surprising part of the show was the fact that after he took off his shirt exposing maybe a little too much chest hair, he actually put clothes back on, but instead of his plain white T-shirt he threw on a USI jersey.
Overall the show was entertaining and a great choice for this year’s SpringFest. I just wish the crowd would have been a little larger and reflected the talent a little more.
