Opener Zeddy Will and headliner The Driver Era showed up and showed out at Quinnipiac’s Wake The Giant. This past Sunday, April 26, a long line wrapped around the M&T Bank Arena, with cowboy hats and Ross Lynch shirts everywhere you looked. Though the doors didn’t open till 7 p.m, many students in the front of the line had claimed to be there since 4 p.m.
Inside, the event staff had prepped a table full of free stuff, including T-shirts, sunglasses, and light-up sticks for the concert. A merchandise table right when you walked in the door held a ton of gear for The Driver Era. Below, where in just a few hours would be full of students cheering and singing along, was an empty arena except for the headliners practicing on stage.
When the doors opened, students rushed in, heading to the merchandise table and the Student Programming Board table. Inside, students holding floor tickets rushed down the stairs, flashing their wrist bands before hurrying to the front of the stage. Not even twenty minutes after the doors opened, the floor was already flooding with students, and though there was plenty of room, they all squished right up against each other trying to be the closest to the stage.
Around 7:40 p.m EST, the line was still out the door as students were waiting to get into the arena. Right on cue, at 8 p.m, fog started coming on stage with the music turned up. Zeddy Will’s DJ came out on stage, playing 2000’s pop hits, getting the audience hyped up. Students started chanting for Zeddy as the DJ played the intro to “Get Jiggy.”
The atmosphere was electric as Zeddy ran out on stage, singing with lights flashing. Although the arena wasn’t full, with students taking up half the floor and four sections of seating, the music filled the arena. Zeddy Will kept the energy high the entire time he was on and, quite literally, offstage. Not only did he jump into the pit, but then, for his song “Strut,” he went into the crowd, and the students parted, making a clear path for him as he strutted through. Even more surprising was that he then climbed into the seating section, getting the students out of their chairs and dancing with him. As he headed back to the stage, he created dance circles with students in the crowd.
When Sexxy Red’s song came on, “Hang Wit a Bad Bitch,” Zeddy brought seven girls on stage from the audience, definitely creating a memorable moment for them. He then ended his set with “Get Jiggy,” and as he headed off stage a half an hour after entering, the students were still buzzing with excitement.
“I absolutely loved the concert! Zeddy Will’s set was so fun, even though I don’t listen to him. And then The Driver Era was amazing! I was in the second row, and Ross Lynch made eye contact with me multiple times. It was so cool!” said Kira Debello, a first-year Public Relations major
As the fog settled from Zeddy, students stayed, already ready for the headliners. The stage was changed from a DJ table to three microphones and guitars lining the stage. You could feel the arena buzz with excitement as the lights highlighted the ready but empty stage. The fog machines started again as the anticipation rose. At 9 p.m exactly, The Driver Era came out onto the stage and immediately went into the first song of their set, “Touch.” The speakers vibrated the ground as students sang along.
Though many didn’t know The Driver Era, and most only knew Ross Lynch from Teen Beach Movie and Austin & Ally, the duo blew us all away with their performance and alternative pop-rock music.
“I had an absolute blast at Wake the Giant. Even as someone unfamiliar with The Driver’s Era, I felt immediately invited into their exciting brand of alternative funk rock, undeniable brotherly stage presence, and consistently catchy musical bangers. I would confidently consider myself a fan.,” said Ian Rosenay, a Sophomore Film, TV, and Media Arts major
Unlike Zeddy Will, he didn’t stop and talk to the crowd as much; however, when he did, he told everyone to grab a partner and dance. He also dedicated one of their songs to a student in the crowd. The Driver Era not only performed their own music but also well-known songs like Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” and “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, keeping the intense energy.
Rocky Lynch played the electric guitar the entire time, while Ross would go on and off the guitar, all while singing and jumping around the stage. Out of all their songs, I would say “Malibu,” “Afterglow,” and finally “Natural” were the most well-known, vibrant, and entertaining songs that they performed. Ross Lynch also knew that the audience was hoping for him to perform a song from his Disney Channel days, and he did not disappoint.
Rocky Lynch sat down, giving Ross the spotlight as he performed “On My Own” from Teen Beach 2. Their last song of the night, also their most popular, was “A Kiss,” ending the night for everyone on a very high note.
“Overall, I had a great experience at Wake the Giant. My friends and I got there early, so we were able to get good spots in the pit for the show. Even though I really wasn’t a huge fan of either artist, I really enjoyed the energy that they brought and had an amazing time dancing with my friends to some live music,” said Cecilia LaSpina, a first-year Film, TV, and Media Arts major
Though the arena was half full, the artist’s, their performances and the music were brilliant and absolutely gave everyone who went an amazing night.
