by A typical April day at Lot 37 on the University of Minnesota campus sees cars scattered across the lot. Students can typically feel a sense of coldness as they walk to and from their cars. But on April 22nd, it’ll be far from a typical day at the lot as the University of Minnesota will be hosting their annual Spring Jam event.
Spring Jam, the university’s spring festival that dates back to 1942, is looking to make a huge leap after a disappointing 2022 showing.
“I don’t think that I could name one person that I know personally that went to Spring Jam last year.” said Owen Stephenson, a junior at the University of Minnesota. Last year’s Spring Jam was the college’s first since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling both the 2020 and 2021 editions.
An air of excitement surrounded the 2022 edition, until the announcement of the official band lineup. Featuring acts such as TwinSick, Almost Monday, and Sophie Cates, the lineup was filled with mostly unknown acts. This immediately turned into mock and anger from the Minnesota student body.
The official lineup announcement from the Student Union and Activities office on Instagram featured multiple highly-liked comments mocking the artists. One comment from a student bluntly asked “Is this a joke(?)”
A post on the Barstool Gophers had multiple memes mocking the apparent lack of quality of the artists and SUA’s choices. The comment section even featured Gopher alumni and NFL player Antoine Winfield Jr. throwing shade at the selections by saying they should’ve asked him to perform.
“It was a massive disappointment, I was really looking forward to Spring Jam and the lineup pretty much changed my mind.” said Josie Kelpsas, another junior at the university. She, along with Stephenson, believe the SUA should send out a survey to students asking what bands they’d like to see.
SUA, who didn’t respond to a request for comment, hopes to have a turnaround with this year’s festival. Though once again, the festival won’t feature your typical headliners.
Eem Triplin, Kailee Morgue, and Durry are some of the acts set to headline the festival. The list, which doesn’t feature your typical headliners, received a less than stellar reaction from Kelpsas among viewing the lineup.
“I have no idea who any of these people are.”
Spring Jam will run from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the 22nd. University of Minnesota students can get in for free while non-students will have ton pay $15 and be over the age of 18. The event won’t only feature music. Food, games, and a beer garden will also be featured at the event.
“I feel like it hasn’t been a big deal to students in the last few years so it hasn’t been like a huge part of my college experience,” said Stephenson. This year’s Spring Jam will be a test for SUA, a chance for the festival to redeem themselves in the eyes of the student body and hopefully make the event a major part of student’s college experiences.
Only one thing can be said for sure about the event, April 22nd won’t be a typical day for Lot 37.
