3OH!3 members, Sean Foreman (left) and Nathaniel Motte (right) pictured alongside Brother Jasper, pumping up the crowd.
LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
Laili Shahrestani & Angelina Perez, Features Editor / Senior Writer
On April 6, Manhattan University welcomed to campus this year’s Springfest performer, 3OH!3, a musical duo composed of vocalists Nathaniel Motte and Sean Foreman. Through their alternative and party style genre of music, the group was able to gather a highly-energized crowd in Draddy Gymnasium with lots of dancing accompanied by strobe lights and LED laser beams.
The duo decided to start their band after discovering their shared passion for music while they were college students at the University of Colorado Boulder. With that said, both Motte and Foreman claimed to have a special place in their heart for performing at universities, because that is where they got their kick-start in their career.
When speaking to The Quadrangle prior to the show, Motte expressed his excitement for performing at MU, saying that not only are the crowds always upbeat, but make him nostalgic for his own college days.
“We really like to play at colleges and universities, because for us, that’s where we had some of the best times of our life,” Motte said. “Back when we were in school is when we started really being creative and making music, and it was a hobby that just developed. So to be able to come back to these places and just relive a little bit of that, and make sure that everybody out there is having fun, it’s really sweet.”
Foreman added onto Motte’s idea that playing at colleges and universities brings back nostalgic feelings, allowing him to resonate with members of the crowd on a deeper level.
“Because our band was formed at the University of Colorado in Boulder, I feel like that shows up when we play at colleges,” Foreman said. “I feel like we bring that specific background and energy when we play at colleges or universities. It just feels full circle for us.”
LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
Throughout the show, attendees were singing along to the band’s biggest hit songs such as “My First Kiss” and “Don’t Trust Me” while dancing and overall creating a high-energy ambiance within the room.
3OH!3 consistently made efforts to engage the audience and interact with the crowd throughout the night. The duo kept the audience energized by encouraging everyone to dance, turn their phone flashlights on and yell out lyrics – even taking requests for a few cover songs, like All-Star, to get everyone singing.
Motte expressed how he makes an effort to turn every show into a party. He emphasized the importance of wanting the crowd to enjoy themselves and all-around have a good time.
“It’s always just been about breaking down any sort of barrier between performer and audience,” Motte said. “We want to make everybody feel included. We try to make our music fun and energetic, a little bit different sounding. But it’s all about making people happy and putting smiles on faces.”
In addition, Motte spoke about how he and Foreman prioritize positive vibes over their actual musical performance and skill.
“Our music has always been really freeing for us,” Motte said. “Honestly, it’s just about rocking a party. It’s less performance per se, because I mean, on my behalf, I’m not the best singer out there. It’s just about transforming the room into a party, and making it feel like back when we started, having fun in basements in college, and just bringing that vibe of collectivity wherever we are.”
Sophomore international studies and Spanish double major, Henriette Feldman, had the opportunity to experience a Springfest artist for the first time after there was not one her freshman year. She listened to 3OH!3 to get familiar with the group before they took the stage.
“It made me feel excited since I was able to have a fun time with my friends,” Feldman said. “Being there with them as well as people I usually see on campus or in class was also really cool. I can definitely say it made me more excited to see what’s to come for next year’s Springfest.”
Throughout their set, Motte and Foreman threw their setlists into the crowd throughout their performances, which they then signed after the performance.
“My favorite songs would have to be “My First Kiss” and “Don’t Trust Me”, which they did play,” Feldman said. “I was pretty excited when I heard them, and I was also relieved that I was able to sing along to songs that I knew. Overall I’d say it was a pretty enjoyable experience.”
Feldman expressed the interest for Big Time Rush and other nostalgic artists to be a contender for next years performance.