Did you attend last year’s Music Fest? Did you have fun rocking out to We the Kings? Then you’ll love the band headlining this year’s Music Fest: Cartel, which is touring the Midwest with We the Kings and other groups.
Music Fest 2011, The University of Toledo’s second annual free, public concert, will be held Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the field across from Memorial Field House on Main Campus.
In addition to the American pop-rock headliner, this year’s lineup includes a variety of artists, from ’70s soul and funk to an up-and-coming country singer.
“After the success of last year’s Music Fest, we want this to be an annual event at the University,” said Lawrence J. Burns, UT vice president for external affairs and interim vice president for equity and diversity. “We hope Music Fest will join the ranks of our other proud traditions. It’s a great way for students to join the community to enjoy something together.”
The outdoor concert will kick off with singer-songwriter Abigail Stauffer. Other performers will include country singer Glen Templeton, jazz artist Alexander Zonjic, and the funk band Ohio Players. WXUT, the student radio station, will provide entertainment between sets.
The night will conclude with a colorful fireworks display after a performance by the headliner, Cartel, which is known for its song, “Honestly,” from its 2005 debut album, Chroma. The band since has released two albums, Cartel in 2007 and Cycles in 2009.
The schedule will be:
• 2:45 p.m. — Abigail Stauffer
• 4:15 p.m. — Glen Templeton
• 5:30 p.m. — Pep rally for the UT football team
• 6 p.m. — Alexander Zonjic and Friends
• 7:45 p.m. — Ohio Players
• 9:30 p.m. — Cartel
• 10:45 p.m. — Fireworks
Click here to read more about the artists and see videos.
In addition to an outdoor concert, Music Fest serves as a community event to get students and the community excited about the school year on the eve of the first football game of the season. The pep rally with the Rockets’ football team will take place at 5:30 p.m. with the players, Head Coach Tim Beckman, cheerleaders, the Rocket Marching Band and Rocky the Rocket to help both the team and fans get psyched up for Toledo’s first game Thursday, Sept. 1, against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.
The new UT mascot will join in the fun with the official debut of Rocky the Rocket’s new friend, Rocksy. Students and fans voted for her name in July, and Rocksy was the fan favorite with the most “love” votes — 863 of 1,779.
“Music Fest 2011 offers performances for all musical tastes, the debut of our new mascot who will head out into the community to represent and promote UT, and a fun pep rally to pump up our Rockets and encourage people to stay in town over the Labor Day holiday weekend and cheer them on at the game,” Burns said. “We have a lot to celebrate at UT and are excited to bring the community on to campus for this annual event to help us do that.”
The event is sponsored by the Office of External Affairs, Office of the Dean of Students, UT Culture Ambassadors, Campus Activities and Programming, WXUT, Toledo.com, Yark Automotive, Learfield, The Blade, Buckeye Cablesystem, Verizon, Campus Oasis and Olde Towne University Apartments.
