THE PENDULUM
STYLE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 201 1 11 PAGE 7
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The Spring Show featured diverse musical styles and artists, brought by Elon’s Student Union Board. Clockwise from top; Neon Trees, an alternative rock band from California, is well-known for their
single “Animal.” Rapper Wale received mixed reactions from the crowd. Mash-up artist Super Mash Bros, makes their music on laptops by combining other popular songs over hot beats. Wale's gained
fame with “Dig Dug” in 2006. Tyler Glenn of headlining band Neon Trees said in a previous interview that the band was excited to make their first North Carolina appearance at Elon.
Different musical styles unite Elon
Stephanie Butzer
Reporter
Students lined up outside Koury
Gym hours in advance anticipating
the 2011 Spring Show, hosted by Elon’s
Student Union Board. This year, SUB
invited Super Mash Bros., Wale and
Neon Trees to play.
As the crew prepared for the
night, the empty gym was anything
but settled: colored lights flashed
everywhere as music boomed around
the open space. When the doors
opened, the students rushed inside.
Super Mash Bros, was the opening
act. After quickly setting up their
computers, they dove into the music.
The group, consists of two men, Ethan
Dawes and Nick Fenmore. Super Mash
Bros., as evident in their name, makes
mash-ups from other popular songs.
It takes background beats that are
mainstream and matches them with
popular lyrics.
Because they’re not actually
singing, their performances consist
of the group working on computers.
But, the show was interactive with the
crowd.
“lama big Super Mash Bros, fan, and
after listening to their performance
I’m really looking forward to the
album that they’re releasing soon,”
said freshman Joey DiRienzo.
The next artist was Wale, a rapper
from Washington, D.C. Wale first
became popular when his song “Dig
Dug” debuted in 2006. One of his
most well-known songs is “Pretty
Girls,” and there was much pleading
from the audience for him to sing
this particular song. One of his other
songs, “Chillin,” featuring Lady Gaga,
was also heavily requested by the
students.
The student body grew restless
as they waited for Wale to come on
stage after Super Mash Bros. left.
W'hen the rapper finally came out, his
performance received mixed views.
“I didn’t know a lot about Wale
going in, but he really excited the
crowd the whole time he was on stage
and there were a lot of people singing
along around me,” DiRienzo said.
Other times, people simply stood
or bobbed their head to the beat,
unsure of what to make of some of
the lesser-known songs.
“Wale was good but not as good
as the other two live,” said freshman
Bridget Landry.
Neon Trees, the main act of the
night, is an alternative band from
California. Their fame was sparked
after a tour with The Killers and more
recently with Angels ad Airwaves in
Europe. Their first single “Animal”
was released in 2010 and was ranked
No. 1 on the alternative rock chart.
Neon Trees were captivating on
stage. Even though most students
didn’t know many of the band’s songs
other than “Animal,” the beat kept
the crowd dancing.
Although music tastes varied, it
appeared the student body had a great
time. Everybody left the Alumni Gym
humming their favorite tunes.
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See more pictures, video
and an interview with
Super Mash Bros.
http://bit.ly/TPOspringshow
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- ’’EPHA^llE BUTZER