Arts and Entertainment | Music

Students honor the spirit of Bacchanal during spring concert festivities

By Annie Son / Staff Photographer

Although Maad Da Visionary did not win the Battle of the Bands, which would have given him the opportunity to perform for Columbia at Terminal 5, he still excited the crowd with his energy and lyrics.

By Bella Druckman • April 4, 2022 at 7:33 PM

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Photo by Shannon Binns / Staff Photographer

Festivities began with a Holi celebration on Low Steps at 10 a.m. Despite the low temperatures, students reveled in the bright colors during the first community moment of the day.

Photo by Shannon Binns / Staff Photographer

Layers came off as students flocked between bars around campus serving themed drinks inspired by student artists—Superfruit Mauderitas clinked to Maude Latour, CC ’22, at The Heights, The Sarah GINsley honored of Sarah Kinsley, CC ’22, at Mel’s Burger Bar, and Young & Reckless mimosa towers at Amity Hall toasted student performer Christina Li, CC ’24. Fraternities and student living communities also hosted Bacchanal-themed events complete with jungle juice and booming music.

Photo by Shannon Binns / Staff Photographer

Traveling between fraternities or bars—or fraternities and bars—students could feast on street food sold at the West Side Spring Fair, which took place between 116th Street and 110th Street. Vendors sold an array of jewelry, clothing, and glass figurines. Pillows of smoke carried the smell of jerk chicken and halal kebabs from block to block. While many students raved about the empanadas—generously packed with spinach and cheese, chicken, or beef—others preferred the visual and savory attraction of potato spirals on a stick.

Photo by Annie Son / Staff Photographer

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., student performers took the stage in front of the Sundial. Pop musician Jackie Marchal, CC ’22, sang to a crowd that sat pleasantly on the lawn, basking in the sun, her melodious voice, and gentle guitar strums. The crowd later danced to the hip-hop beats of Maad Da Visionary, CC ’23.

Photo by Annie Son / Staff Photographer

With the sound of student performances remaining in the middle lawn, students on the side lawns reveled in the festival mood. Some students played Spikeball while others laughed with their friends on picnic blankets or danced to their own music blasting from speakers.

Photo by Annie Son / Staff Photographer

Selfies of friend groups covered in sparkles and stickers now litter student camera rolls.

Photo by Annie Son / Staff Photographer

Students will undoubtedly see photos of the festivities across social media platforms for days.

Photo by Shannon Binns / Staff Photographer

Honoring the notorious reputation of music festivals, many students were spotted with handles of alcohol to honor the meaning of Bacchanal—a party overrun with unchecked intoxication, sexual promiscuity, and wild dancing.

Photo by Genevieve Depke / Columbia Daily Spectator

As the afternoon came to a close, students flocked to Terminal 5 in droves. Early birds who left before the 6 p.m. rush entered the concert venue with a minimal wait.

Photo by Genevieve Depke / Columbia Daily Spectator

As time crept closer to 7 p.m., the line of students dressed in an array of festival clothing—neon outfits, patterned pants, and fishnet attire included—slowly snaked down the street. For students unable to secure one of the 3,000 tickets available for the performance or for those whose religious commitments prevented them from attending, an after-party at 48 Lounge and an Iftar Dinner at Earl Hall were available as alternatives. Bacchanal offered the Iftar Dinner for Muslim students unable to participate in festivities because they occurred on the first day of Ramadan, a point of concern among the student body.

Photo by Jane Mok/Staff Photographer / Courtesy of CU Bacchanal

In the presence of Li, Latour, Kinsley, Amaarae, and Ross, students danced, moshed, and sang with their peers in a celebration that signaled a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.