Students thronged around the Smith Center perimeter on Saturday as early 2010s sensation Jay Sean and former Migos rapper Quavo rocked the stadium with pulsating beats for GW’s annual Spring Fling.
Leading up to the event, students buzzed with chatter about the annual spectacle. Program Board, the GW student organization overseeing Spring Fling, implemented several changes this year. Departing from years of free entry, they introduced ticket prices ranging from $25 to $60.
Additionally, the concert relocated to the Smith Center for the first time since 2019, shifting from its traditional venue in University Yard, and expanded its reach to all DMV-area students.
Heather Motta and Alfredo Granados, chair and vice-chair of the Program Board, acknowledged students’ surprise at the ticket prices, considering past Spring Fling concerts featuring marquee artists were also ticketed, such as the Maroon 5 show in 2009, priced at $30. However, recognizing the passage of time since those events, they understood students’ reactions.
The decision to move the event to the Smith Center stemmed from concerns about inclement weather and the desire to accommodate more attendees. Despite this intent, the stadium’s 5,000-person capacity was only half-filled during the performance, with many stands left vacant.
Following the announcement of Quavo as the headliner on Instagram, students flooded the comments section with mixed reactions. While some welcomed the renowned artist, others expressed discontent over the introduction of ticket charges, with some alleging that critical comments were deleted by the Program Board.
In response to student concerns, a Program Board member, in a since-deleted comment, questioned whether students preferred a lesser-known artist like Maude Latour. Sydney Hammer, a senior and former director of marketing and creative services for the Program Board, empathized with the financial constraints prompting the ticket charges but suggested reserving a block of free tickets for GW students to balance affordability and entertainment value.
Hammer criticized Program Board members for their handling of student feedback, noting that most students expected Spring Fling to remain a free event.
Anticipation mounted as doors opened for the concert at 7 p.m., but the delayed start dampened spirits. Despite the enthusiastic reception to Jay Sean’s performance, the crowd’s energy waned as the night progressed.
Quavo’s entrance injected new energy into the atmosphere, but the concert faced disruptions, including chants directed at Chris Brown and a gradual exodus of attendees as the night wore on. Despite moments of disengagement from the audience, Quavo’s performance, including nostalgic hits like “Bad and Boujee,” left a lasting impression.
As Quavo departed, students clamored around his vehicle, capturing the essence of the memorable evening.
