Hana Ostapchuk first heard Lupe Fiasco when her brother introduced her to the hip-hop artist while driving in her hometown. Now that the hip-hop artist is headlining this year’s Juice Jam music festival, Ostapchuk plans to return the favor.

‘I love him (Lupe Fiasco), and my brother might be coming up that weekend. I think I’ll get him a ticket to the show,’ said Ostapchuk, a sophomore child and family studies major.

Lupe Fiasco will be headlining University Union’s annual Juice Jam concert at the Skytop Fields on Sept. 12. Passion Pit, Super Mash Bros. and Syracuse University student band Mouth’s Cradle will also be performing.

The diversity and notoriety of the chosen acts has generated an overall positive student reaction for this year’s concert, according to UU public relations director Samara Shwidock.

‘I think that the eclectic mix of artists really appeals to a wide audience, and we’re really excited to bring this to the SU campus,’ said Shwidock, a senior public relations major.

The outdoor concert, which also functions as a showcase for numerous clubs and organizations, has generated a buzz around campus. It will also feature a mechanical bull and inflatable obstacle course.

‘We’ve sold about close to 1,500 tickets so far and they’ve only been on sale since Thursday. Literally, the box office hours just opened and there’s a huge rush for tickets,’ said Chelsea Fierst, a senior illustration major who works at the Schine Box Office.

There are approximately 3,500 tickets still available, which can be purchased for $10 at the Schine Box Office and online by any student with a valid college ID.

Katie Hoole, a sophomore policy studies major, said she hasn’t bought her ticket yet, but definitely won’t be missing out on the concert.

‘I love live music. I always take advantage of those situations. And I’ve heard Lupe and Passion Pit are great live,’ Hoole said.

Shwidock said the surveys UU puts out on Facebook help to hone in on students’ likes and dislikes in terms of performers. She said students have different tastes, but this year’s Juice Jam should accommodate everyone.

‘Say someone likes Passion Pit and is at Juice Jam to listen to them, but hears another group and likes their style. They can be exposed to new music and different genres, and something different is special,’ Shwidock said.  

Ostapchuk appreciates the surveys and how UU tried to listen to the student body.

‘It’s really convenient. It’s good that we can voice our opinions about the groups we’re going to see,’ she said.

Some students feel the groups are not enough of a mix.

‘At MayFest last year, it was kind of the same thing,’ said Jesse Feitel, a sophomore political science major. ‘There was a hip-hop artist and other bands. I mean, I enjoy going to these things, but there could be more variety.’

Fierst agrees and said he thinks the student group is trying its best to make everyone happy.

‘They have three totally different bands and they’re trying to please the majority of the student body. It’s obvious that they’ve been taking students into consideration when it comes to picking the bands,’ Fierst said. ‘I think it’s going to be an awesome event.’

smtracey@syr.edu

Published on August 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm