Hunter Hayes will be headlining the annual spring concert, Devilpalooza, and the country singer said he is excited and prepared to both serenade and rock out with students on Feb. 26.
Although Hayes is a country artist, the festival is worth attending for country music fans and otherwise. Hayes is not only a five-time Grammy nominee, but a musician that prides himself on creating a conversation between his music and the listener.
"We're stoked about (Devilpalooza)," he said. "We've been hearing about it, talking about it for awhile; so it's going to be good. It's going to be a good time, we're ready."
The last time Hayes was in Arizona was when he toured with Lady Antebellum. He said over the last year, he has been working on a new project. Hayes said he prides himself on writing his life into his music.
“I hope that people can relate to it because it is a conversation,” Hayes said. “I hope they can hear a song and really, truly know it came from a real place, that I've been there in some sort of version.”
Hayes can relate to most college students because he is in a similar place. He said he is still trying to "figure out life" by deciding what his passions and desires are.
Hayes said he and a friend have a saying that may encourage students in the same place.
“We’re doing it live,” Hayes said. “We’re not going to think about it. We’re not going to plan it. We’re just going to do it live.”
In the first eight hours of ticket sales, 1,500 of the 10,000 tickets available were reserved, and tickets are continuing to go quickly. Whether it be for the carnival rides, the free hand outs, the openers, the food trucks or the headliner, Devilpalooza is not an event to be missed this semester.
There will be two other acts that open for Hayes. One was chosen by students during Battle of the Bands, which took place across ASU's campuses.
The student band, Luxxe, won the competition and will be one of the openers. Drummer Devon Quartullo said that the group was surprised it won the competition; however, they said they are excited to perform.
"There's going to be some flute action going on in the show," Quartullo said. "It's going to be really high energy. There's going to be some songs which are all for dancing. It's going to be a lot of fun."
The other opener is local celebrity Laura Walsh, who appeared on the final season of American Idol. Walsh’s debut album is “Take Your Time,” and can be recognized by her songs “Hit and Run,” “How Many Days” and “Take Your Time.”
Do you know where to pick up your reserved Devilpalooza tix?!? Check it out! pic.twitter.com/CqD6FbUSNY
— ASU PAB (@ASUPAB) February 23, 2016
Once again partnering with Undergraduate Student Government, the Programming and Activities Board will be bringing carnival-like games to the event this year.
This year, PAB reported that there will be more sponsorships then in previous years. Different groups will be giving students information about promotions and will be giving away free items on the Tempe Sun Devil Fitness Center field. One such opportunity will come from Les Paul’s Big Sound Experience touring truck, a mobile museum where students can make music of their own.
Business sophomore Jessarra Harrington, director of Devilpalooza, said that although this is a fairly new event and not yet a big tradition like homecoming, it is still the biggest event of the spring semester.
“There is definitely something for everyone,” Harrington said. “We’re going to have five or six different food trucks, there’s going to be free give-aways, bounce houses, carnival rides — so I think even if you don't like one section of it, you will like something about it.”
Tickets are still available. For more information, visit the event's website.
Related Links:
Devilpalooza rocks Packard Stadium
Devilpalooza attracts eager All-American Rejects fans
Reach the reporter at ndusanek@asu.edu or follow @NikkiDusanek on Twitter
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