Strobe lights and smoke machines provided a sense of anticipation as students filled the Sports Arena for the Pantherpalooza Concert last Saturday. The arena had been transformed from a basketball court to a ready-to-rumble club complete with a moshpit. Glowsticks and other such freebies were draped across concert-goees who were ready to have a great time.
The concert featured Panic! at the Disco and B.o.B, with Zip K and Trans Lee opening.
Zip K performed his song “Chevy Hump” and Trans Lee performed “Somebody’s Girl (Take it Off).” After their performances, Panic! at the Disco’s logo unfurled like a flag, greeted by the cheers of fans from the audience.
After the stage crew double checked the tables and the stage, lead singer Brendon Urie opened their act by running on the stage, and during the show he used the tables placed downstage on multiple occasions to jump off of and do backflips.
They opened with “When I Say Shotgun.” The performance was well-played and surprisingly intimate.
Panic! at the Disco did a fantastic job personally connecting with the audience. To the delight of fans, during a rendition of “Nicotine” guitarist Dallon Weekes took his guitar pick and placed it on his tongue before tossing it to the eager crowd.
Sparked by his actions, fans threw glow sticks onstage between songs.
The band finished off with a performance of “Anyway You Want It’ and their biggest hit ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’.
Though many people left after Panic! at the Disco’s performance, B.o.B. held his own and performed with T.I. as a surprise guest singer. He performed many of his hits, but “Free Shit” was the greatest success, as he tossed out t-shirts and other swag to the crowd. He even pulled up a few students from the crowd to dance onstage with him.
The concert ended abruptly with an awkward goodnight from B.o.B, but students seemed to be happily exhausted as they left the arena.
An interview with B.o.B:
Have you heard (and what are your thoughts on) Zip K’s statements regarding Childish Gambino’s withdrawal from the show [Zip K made a comment about Childish Gambino leaving Georgia State for Emory]?
B.o.B: I’m not sure- I didn’t know he was supposed to be in the show. That would’ve been crazy!
What’s your favorite lyric that you’ve ever written and why?
B.o.B: That’s a tough question- it would probably have to be ‘Don’t Let Me Fall’ because it speaks the truth, man.
When you look back twenty years from now, what do you want people to remember about you as an artist?
B.o.B: I want them to remember that I love music and performing and I love going to strip clubs.
What was your most awkward question with a fan?
B.o.B: Whenever you’re trying to like slap hands with a fan , and you slap a fan’s hand and you miss, you try to play it off!
Did you ever perform at any event when you were back in school?
B.o.B: Yeah,when I was in high school, I performed at a pep rally and they booed me off. That was my lowest moment—never got lower than that.
Can you twerk for us?
B.o.B: No, I don’t twerk.
Your father was a pastor, and originally your parents did not support your music. What made them change their minds, since now you say they are your biggest supporters?
B.o.B: They saw how dedicated I was and they became my biggest supporters. They bought me my first keyboard and I produced my first song that got signed on that keyboard.
Would you rather have a popcorn kernel stuck in the back of your throat for the rest of your life or Hot Cheeto fingers?
B.o.B: Hot Cheeto fingers! Who wouldn’t want Hot Cheeto fingers? That’s like having Kool-Aid hands!
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
B.o.B: Don’t let anybody else tell you what your style is—do what you want to do.
