FallFest, West Virginia University’s annual welcome-back celebration, will kick off the 2011-12 school year with a concert featuring rock heavyweights 3 Doors Down, hip-hop artist Mac Miller, rising rap superstar Big Sean, alternative hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang and singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat. FallFest 2011 will also feature an event in the Mountainlair Ballroom with performances by MiMoSA and local deejay Ikto. The festivities begin when the gates open at 6 p.m. Monday (Aug. 22). The show will begin at 6:30 p.m.
3 Doors Down – American rock heavyweights 3 Doors Down may be best known for their hit song “Kryptonite,” but these Mississippi natives have just released their highly anticipated new record, “Time of My Life.” The album shot to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes albums chart in less than 24 hours, propelled by the strength of its first two singles “When You’re Young” and “Every Time You Go” (also No. 1’s on iTunes Rock Singles). After appearances at the NHL All-Star Weekend, multiple NASCAR races, the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Lopez Tonight,” the new album comes as another pivotal moment in a storied career from a band bred to exceed expectations time after time. These road warriors, fronted by the husky-voiced Brad Arnold, typically average 300 shows per year and have been praised as one of rock’s pinnacle touring and recording groups of the last decade. 3 Doors Down has clearly helped define what mainstream rock has become since the early 2000s and if the new record is any indication, they are looking at another incredibly successful year. 3 Doors Down will take the stage at approximately 10:45 p.m.
Mac Miller – Dubbed Pittsburgh’s prodigal son by “XXL Magazine,” Mac Miller has been recording mixtapes since early 2007, but found great success with the release of his 2010 effort “K.I.D.S.” Citing influences from artists as varied as Lauryn Hill to the Beastie Boys, Miller was signed to Rostrum Records, home of tourmate and friend Wiz Khalifa. His newest mixtape, “Best Day Ever,” has been received well by media outlets, in anticipation of his forthcoming debut full-length album, “Blue Slide Park.” Just recently, Pollstar named Miller its “Hot Star of the Week.” Mac Miller will take the FallFest stage at approximately 9:35 p.m.
Big Sean – Detroit native and Kanye West prot�g� Big Sean is making a splash in the hip-hop industry with the success of his debut album, “Finally Famous.” The 23-year-old first met with West at a chance encounter at a Detroit radio station and impressed him with a 16-bar freestyle rap. In 2007, West signed him to his G.O.O.D. label, which led to a deal with Def Jam Recordings in 2008. Now, with his record debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and receiving his first ever MTV VMA Award nomination for Best New Artist, Big Sean is looking ahead to bigger and better things. His hit single, “My Last,” which features Chris Brown, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hip-Hop chart and his second single, “I Do It,” was listed at No. 14 on Complex.com’s Top 25 Songs of the year (so far). After a successful summer tour with pal Wiz Khalifa, this “Rolling Stone” magazine artist-to-watch will head out with Cee Lo Green, The Black Keys, Deadmau5 and others for the 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest this September. Big Sean will perform at approximately 8:35 p.m.
Chiddy Bang – Innovative alternative hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang burst on the scene with their MGMT-sampling track “Opposite of Adults” in 2009 after getting together at Philadelphia’s Drexel University. The track created instant viral buzz on the Internet and eventually landed them a record deal with Parlaphone/EMI. Blending hard-hitting lyricism from front man Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and the original electronica, jazz-influenced production from DJ/producer Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin, Chiddy Bang is one of the hottest new duos on the rise. After touring with the likes of Wale and Tinie Tempah and playing major festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, the duo is about to release its first full-length record, “Breakfast,” featuring the catchy single “Mind Your Manners.” In addition to success as a duo, Chiddy took it a step further and in April, broke the world record for longest freestyle rap, clocking in at 9 hours, 18 minutes and 22 seconds at MTV’s O Awards. Chiddy Bang will perform at approximately 7:45 p.m.
Colbie Caillat – California songbird Colbie Caillat first hit it big with the success of her double platinum debut album CoCo. Armed with merely her dusky vocals and an acoustic guitar, Caillat connects with listeners over honest lyrics and a homespun feel. The 26-year-old became a national sensation with her first single “Bubbly,” which spent a staggering 14 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart. She won her first Grammy Award for her collaboration with fellow singer/songwriter Jason Mraz and their massive hit song “Lucky.” While musical comparisons of Caillat usually land on Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift and Mraz, “USA Today” says that she is a vital part of “a new wave of troubadours luring fans of all ages into a peaceful, easy feeling.” Her new record, “All of You,” is another impressive collection of songs that leads off with the explosive “Brighter Than the Sun” and also contains collaborations with rapper Common, Bob Marley’s former band The Wailers and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder. Colbie Caillat will kick off the FallFest lineup at approximately 6:30 p.m.
MiMoSA – Hailing from the San Francisco bay area and currently residing in Los Angeles, MiMoSA has solidified himself as a force in electronic music in recent years. This young producer brings forth a magnetic energy during his live performances, taking audiences on a space-age psychedelic journey through urban chaos and ecstasy. He has recently shared the stage with the likes of Pretty Lights, Benga, Glitch Mob and more and has played at Coachella, Burning Man and at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado. MiMoSA will perform in the Mountainlair Ballroom at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Ikto – Popular Morgantown deejay Jeremy Ikto Wriston will open the show in the Mountainlair Ballroom. Ikto has become a mainstay of the Morgantown music scene with his experimental beats and energetic performances. Ikto, along with Rocky “Grumpy Bear” McDonald, is also a core part of the group tronBLAST! Ikto will kick off the Mountainlair Ballroom festivities at approximately 9 p.m. Doors will open to the Ballroom at 8:30 p.m.
FallFest is free to WVU students with valid WVU student IDs. Gates open at 6 p.m. (Please note: the Mountainlair will be closed from 5 to 6 p.m.) A special tent will be set up in front of the Mountainlair beginning at 6 p.m. to assist WVU students with ID questions. WVU students are permitted one guest age 17 or older and must obtain a guest ticket at the tent in front of the Mountainlair. Legal beverages will be available to students 21 and older. Alternative beverages and food will also be available. The PRT will run until 1 a.m. Buses will run between the Mountainlair and Towers until the conclusion of the event, around 1 a.m. Additional gate and traffic information will be released Thursday (Aug. 18).
Set times are approximate and subject to change.
For more event information, call (304) 293-4406 or visit www.events.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
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CONTACT: Ali Daly, WVU Arts & Entertainment
304.293.8222
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