Marina Bravo
Arts Editor
The most anticipated event for the University of La Verne, Lavernapalooza, excited the students and guests, May 7 at the Pomona Fox Theater. With headliner BOLO, accompanied by Mike Sherm, Close Friends Only and Jezzy B.
The doors opened at 6 p.m. and the music started at 7 p.m. with the first performer being DJ Jezzy B. Students were anticipating the night full of music.
Tickets sold out with a total of 550 General Public tickets and 685 University students attended.
Although the excitement for the event was present, especially leading up to the concert date, it was hard to tell what the turn out would be. When BOLO the EDM DJ was revealed as the headliner, many mixed emotions were shared amongst the student body and on online platforms like Fizz.
“I had a really great experience and time at LaVernapalooza,” Gabriella Garcia, a guest who purchased a general admission ticket, said. “I really liked the line up, but maybe that is just because I do love Mike Sherm.”
Many students shared similar thoughts, as Sherm was the artist that stuck out the most for many guests. Sherm was the dealbreaker for the anticipation for the event.
Close Friends Only was the first official act of the night. They are a three piece EDM DJ act from the Coachella Valley.
They got the crowd moving with their mix of “Latch,” by Sam Smith.
Sherm followed and performed many of his hits. Songs like, “Asshole,” “Baby” and “Homecoming” had the crowd moving around.
“I brought my cousin with me and we came for Mike Sherm,” Paloma Lara, senior child development major said. “The event was so fun and the energy was definitely there. Especially where we were sitting up on the balcony.”
BOLO took the stage and many students still were not sure if they understood the whole EDM scene. That did not stop BOLO from bringing the energy. He performed many mixes that left the crowd shocked with each beat drop.
“I think BOLO did a really great job,” Garcia said. “He was a great way to end the night. When he brought out Shoreline Mafia, I loved that. It was my favorite part and stood out to me the whole night.”
BOLO won hearts when he brought out rapper OhGeesy of Shoreline Mafia as a surprise guest. This was the first collaboration the two artists have done together, which created possible speculation online for a collaboration in the near future.
The event showcased a new genre of music to many ULV students. Something that is out of the ordinary Rap acts that have been had in the past. BOLO being the first Latino EDM DJ headliner for the event, it was a coming together of two worlds.
LaVernapalooza once again became a spot that arguably serves as the end of the school year event. It brought the energy and the La Verne spirit to the Pomona Fox Theater.
“Every artist had me singing and dancing,” Cassandra Monreal, senior child development major said. “This is my last LaVernapalooza so this is really special. There was nothing but good vibes all around from the performers and the audience.”
Marina Bravo can be reached at marina.bravo@laverne.edu.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
Mia Byington is a senior photography major with a minor in marketing. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
