Northwestern students crowded into the Metro in Chicago last Thursday for this year’s A&O ball. Students sang, screamed, and even surfed to performances by featured artists redveil and 070 Shake. WNUR reporters Michelle Hwang and Maria Ximena Aragon were there to witness it all.
[fade in nat sound of the crowd waiting for 070 shake to come on]
A AND O PRODUCTIONS HELD ITS ANNUAL BALL THIS PAST THURSDAY. NORTHWESTERN STUDENTS CROWDED INTO THE METRO IN CHICAGO TO SEE ARTIST REDVEIL AND HEADLINER 070 SHAKE PERFORM.
WNUR NEWS SENT REPORTERS MARIA XIMENA ARAGON AND MICHELLE HWANG TO COVER THE EVENT.
[nat sound of the crowd waiting for redveil to come on]
THE ENERGY IN THE CONCERT HALL WAS ELECTRIC AS STUDENTS WAITED FOR THE OPENING ACT TO BEGIN.
[nat sound of crowd chanting redveil’s name]
REDVEIL BURST ONTO STAGE TO SOUNDS OF THE CROWD CHANTING HIS NAME.
[nat sound of moments throughout redveil’s performance – of him interacting with the crowd]
AFTER REDVEIL’S PERFORMANCE, STUDENTS LAUGHED AND SANG ALONG TO SONGS AS THEY WAITED FOR THE MAIN ACT. THE ENERGY TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CROWD WAS PARTICULARLY HIGH.
[underlying nat sound of students singing along to pop songs]
[Chanelle Chu, Skyla Kiang] It’s been crazy. It’s been a good time. Redevil had so much energy. It was so good. I liked the song.
[Michelle Hwang] So how was the first part of the show so far?
[Lila Shea] It was so fun. I didn’t expect to get to the -front. I, like, wasn’t trying to and then the mosh pit was just like a movie. I’m so excited. This is way better than the fall. So I have to be honest, I’m enjoying it. I thought I was gonna die, Travis Scott style (in the fall). I literally almost got crushed, but this time I’m in the clear. I’m at the front.
AS MINUTES PASSED, STUDENTS GREW MORE AND MORE EAGER FOR 070 SHAKE TO APPEAR. THE EXCITEMENT WAS BREWING.
[MH] Are you guys big fans of 070 Shake?
[Jacky Herrera and Evelyn Mazariego] All those songs live are amazing. I’m excited. I’m so hyped right now. I cannot wait for the come out.
FINALLY, WINE GLASS IN HAND, 070 SHAKE STEPPED UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND BEGAN HER FIRST SONG.
[nat sound of the crowd cheering as 070 shake enters]
THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS EVEN RECEIVED A SNEAK PEAK INTO ONE OF THE ARTIST’S UNRELEASED SONGS.
[nat sound of 070 Shake introducing the song]
BUT THE TRUE HIGHLIGHT OF PERFORMANCE CAME WHEN 070 SHAKE POINTED INTO THE CROWD AND SELECTED A STUDENT TO JOIN HER ON STAGE.
[crowd surfer’s friend]
THE SHOW ENDED IN A FRENZY OF SORE THROATS AND SWEATY FACES. SOME IMMEDIATELY PILED ON TO THE BUSES TAKING STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS.
OTHERS, LIKE THESE TWO WNUR REPORTERS, HEADED TOWARDS THE NEIGHBORING RAISING CANE’S FOR AN OH-SO-SATISFYING LATE NIGHT MEAL OF CHICKEN FINGERS AND TEXAS TOAST.
[MH and Mena]
FOR A FEW LUCKY LINGERING STUDENTS, THE NIGHT ENDED ON A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH 070 SHAKE HERSELF.
FOR WNUR NEWS, I’M MICHELLE HWANG.
