By Annabel Simmons

On Oct. 4, Baum-Walker Stadium was packed with thousands eagerly awaiting performances at the annual Springtime of Youth music festival. Excitement was pervasive in the crowd as attendees anticipated sets from both local bands and popular artists.

Each year, Springtime of Youth is planned by the student-led Headliners Committee, which carefully curates a lineup of performances to reflect the diverse musical tastes of the Fayetteville community. Traditionally held in the spring, the festival was moved to the fall this year.

The committee commissioned four widely known artists to play at this year’s festival: Benét, Snow Strippers, Juicy J and JT. Several other local bands opened for the event, including Oil and Sun, Modeling and Thoughts on Bowling.

While most attendees are typically University of Arkansas students, tickets become available to the public for purchase near the day of the event. Funds for Springtime of Youth are allocated by the Program Allocations Board (PAB), an organization of students from various campus groups. Making affordability one of the festival’s many appeals, tickets are free for students and just $30 for the public.

This year’s festival left audiences with commendable memories and experiences. Attendees ended the night with glowing reviews, affirming Springtime of Youth as a staple celebration of music, community and student-led initiative.  

Ash David, a sophomore earth science major, said that she appreciated the concert’s accessibility. Pinnacle Buses delivered to-and-from the stadium, with eight stops stationed around Fayetteville.

“There was a lot of transportation to be able to get there, and once you did, there was a lot of room for the crowd,” David said. “And, if you couldn’t stand in the crowd, you could go sit and still see the artist.”

Local vendors, such as Spooky Ceramics and Feral Dog Prints, were also positioned nearby the stage, allowing attendees to hear the music while shopping. Many vendors offered creative activities, such as face painting and jewelry making.

Upon arrival, guests were required to scan their tickets and pass through security before entering the parking lot. Volunteers, standing near the entrance, handed out free water bottles to attendees, ensuring everyone had what they needed for a safe and enjoyable experience.

MJ Ferguson, a political science major, said he enjoyed the overall atmosphere of Springtime of Youth, describing it as “intense.”

“Every performance, either the artists or the crowd was going crazy, like doing mosh pits, you know, and yelling the whole time,” he said. “There was never really a moment of just relaxation.”

Local openers, Oil and Sun, Modeling and Thoughts on Bowling, forged this thrilling atmosphere early on, delivering high-energy performances that set expectations high for headliners.  Following with raw and soulful vocals, Benét offered a heartfelt performance.

The Snow Strippers duo hit the stage just as the sun was setting, but their fast-paced electropop anthems and flashing visuals kept audiences captivated. Ferguson said his favorite part of the festival was Snow Strippers closing song, “Under Your Spell.” 

“Everybody in the crowd recognized that song, so everyone was jumping up and down, moving around the crowd and just kind of letting go and being a part of the music,” he said. “And, I haven’t been to too many concerts before, so that was the first moment where I feel like I was truly in that kind of concert experience that a lot of people talk about. [AS1] For those three minutes, that was probably like the peak of, not only the concert, but like low-key my life as well.”

Juicy J brought personality and charisma to Springtime of Youth, engaging the crowd with unpredictable yet humorous comments. He kept boredom at bay, with several attendees nearly joining him on stage by invitation. Hits like “Half On a Sack” from his band Three 6 Mafia and “Dark Horse,” his collaboration with Katy Perry, were crowd favorites.

Nearing the final act of the night, audiences packed the parking lot eagerly awaiting JT’s arrival. The crowd erupted in cheers, from screaming to whistling, once JT finally approached the stage. Although Ferguson said his favorite moment of the festival happened during Snow Stripper’s set, he named JT as his favorite performance overall.

“JT kept me consistently hype,” he said. “You know, with Snow Strippers, there were very high highs, but there were times where I was just standing there and kind of like bumping my head. But, JT, the whole time—even though it was kind of short and sweet—the whole time the crowd was just going crazy.”

JT even brought three fans on stage to dance with her during the song “OKAY,” just before ending the performance slightly early.

“Her performance is something that I’ll always remember, and the energy as she played all of her hits, which I forgot how many she had, made it to where I was consistently energized that whole time,” Ferguson said.

Overall, Snow Strippers was an extremely popular favorite among attendees at this year’s Springtime of Youth.

Mary Viebrooks, an apparel merchandising and product development major, said the duo was definitely her favorite performance of the night.

“They have been one of my top-played artists for over a year now, and I was beyond excited when I heard they were coming here for Springtime of Youth,” she said. “The energy was felt heavily during their set, and I loved the community I felt in the crowd dancing with everyone.”

If attendees found themselves exhausted and in need of a bite after sets, multiple food trucks were also positioned around the venue, offering a variety of options. Choices included Sabae’s Eats, Mo’s Tacos and Churros and Thai Ginger 2 Go.

“My favorite part of the festival was how well put together and intentional everything was,” Viebrooks said. “From the food vendors to free waters everywhere, I definitely felt taken care of. I could tell a lot of work was put into making this a great night for everyone, and the Springtime of Youth crew didn’t fail to deliver!”