Spring Flings When Particles Collide
On Saturday night, students rushed to Assembly Hall in tank tops and shorts, eager for Spring Fling to begin. They were greeted by the sight of large beach balls being tossed in the air. Laughter and chatter filled the room as more and more students took their seats. A few minutes later, everyone quieted down as a student stepped onto the stage and announced the first performer, When Particles Collide. Students jumped up with fists pumping in the air to the beat of the songs. They threw beach balls at each other and hurled glow-sticks into the air. They cheered. The music blared.
Spring Fling was a major success. Although a rainstorm forced the event’s organizers to switch to an indoor venue, students still had a great time. Exonians grinned as each band took the stage. To add to the joyous atmosphere, the audience even witnessed a promposal. Spring Fling showcased extraordinary talents throughout the night. The show kicked off with an intense set by When Particles Collide, a band that consists of Chemistry Instructor Sasha Alcott, the lead singer and vox player, along with her husband, Christopher Viner, on percussion. Their songs, which had a Southern rock feel, got most of the crowd to stand up and let loose. “Fight” especially invigorated the crowd, although each song had an energetic beat and a fun arrangement. Alcott said that she enjoyed the audience just as much as they enjoyed her. “It’s always fun!” she said.
When Particles Collide’s performance was followed by several Exeter Association of Rock (E.A.R.) performances. The four student bands, LIVE, Upper Board Band, Rohan and Friends and Stepping Stones hyped up the crowed. “I wanted to be a part of Spring Fling because it gave the band and myself another opportunity to perform in front of people on a big stage,” upper Bobby Murray said. The four bands each did a marvelous job playing music that helped Exonians unwind after a cold, busy week. The rock music they performed evoked a sense of belonging to a greater community. The music inspired chills and relaxation, and tapped into the crowd’s eagerness for summer vacation.
For many of the performers, Spring Fling represented a final opportunity to play some music in front of a large group before summer. “I wanted to be a part of Spring Fling because it’s one of the best chances to work hard with a band and have a great performance experience,” lower and performer Hanna Pak said.
Alumnus Robin Kim ’10, or as most know him, DJ Uplifted, graced the event with his fresh techno and house music. His fast-paced beats got nearly everyone to wave their glowsticks and dance along. His mashups left the audience anxiously waiting for the next beat drop. He played several classic hits in funky new ways that added to Spring Fling’s light and cheerful atmosphere.
Unsurprisingly, G Yamazawa’s rap songs were a huge hit. Just as they had done at his previous performances at the Academy this past winter, most Exonians connected to his powerful bars. He rapped about social issues in a manner that got through to the listeners and made them more socially aware, and he delivered his rhymes with style. He also gave the audience a taste of his recently released album Shouts to Durham, which dropped on May 3 on iTunes. By the time he got the mike, virtually everybody was dancing. Not only were his songs meaningful, but they also had lively, memorable beats.
The audience gushed about Spring Fling afterwards. Even though Spring Fling’s unique musical genres were not for everyone, the event’s other aspects made it entertaining for all. Prep Ayush Noori said, “It wasn’t my kind of music, but I think it was really well done. The small details made it enjoyable, like the abundance of candy and the glow sticks.” The ambiance definitely helped prepare the audience for a great evening.
In response to the rap finale, lower Gillian Alou said, “I talked to G Yamazawa backstage and he’s a really cool guy. His performance was great last time, and this time too.” Prep Serene DeSisso also enjoyed this particular performance and reflected on the unity it cultivated in the crowd. “Music has that thing that can just make all different people connect,” DeSisso said. “And the guy was talking about really important social issues, and everyone agreed, which was great.”
Audience members enjoyed watching all of their peers and teachers on stage. Upper Tricia Moriarty appreciated the fact that members of the Exeter community performed at Spring Fling, saying, “I always like E.A.R. concerts. It’s always fun to see your classmates performing and your teachers too, like Ms. Alcott. She’s my chem teacher and it was really awesome to see her having fun up there.”