Bandersnatch 2019 performers bring energy, play hits

A small crowd wanders to the front of the LED light cladded stage where Syracuse University junior Troyce Pitones tinkers with DJ equipment, playing Skepta’s “Greaze Mode.”

Pitones opened for headliners Koffee and DUCKWRTH Friday night at University Union’s Bandersnatch concert.

At 8 p.m., Pitones jumped to the beat of the music he was spinning. The DJ played Tyler, the Creator’s “Yonkers” as he kept rhythm to Travis Scott’s new single “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM.”

Show attendees hiding from the stage lights in the back of the auditorium made a beeline to the front of the stage at the first notes of Sheck Wes’ “Live Sheck Wes.” The crowd soon regained a united groove. 

The approximately 200-person crowd roared whenever a hit song blasted through the speakers

Pitones mentioned that Wes always gets a great crowd reaction. After his allotted set time ran out, Pitones made a peace sign and walked off, while Playboi Carti’s “R.I.P. Fredo (Notice Me)” kept on playing. 

Duckwrth’s DJ hyped up the crowd with A$AP Rocky’s “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2,” when the artist suddenly catapulted onto the stage wearing a white, tucked-in Syracuse basketball crewneck and began hyping up the crowd. 

DUCKWRTH gave an explosive performance during the opening songs of his set. Corey Henry | Photo Editor

After rapping fan favorites like “TAMAGOTCHI” and “NOBODY FALLS,” DUCKWRTH was drenched in sweat. 

The Los Angeles artist yelled to the crowd in one breath, “Let me see a mosh pit,” as his “LOVE IS LIKE A MOSHPIT” instrumental began to play. The attendees began to form a tight crowd in the center of Goldstein Auditorium, with students bashing against each other to the sound of drum beats. 

DUCKWRTH serenaded the crowd with “SOPRANO” as he gripped the microphone. In a matter of beats he transitioned to a fierce rap. Then he took off the school-spirited sweatshirt and apologized to the crowd saying it was too hot.

Wanting to go out with a bang, DUCKWRTH halted the crowd and asked them to huddle together while the guitarist began to play a battle song to amp up the crowd. 

“Peace and bless you,” he said after as he trailed off to “FALL BACK.” 

Throughout her performance, Koffee invited students on stage to sing along to her lyrics.  Corey Henry | Photo Editor

In contrast to her opener, Koffee came out calmly with her hair locks muffled in a silver do-rag. The DJ amped up the crowd with bouncy reggae assisted by a blasting bassline and the Jamaican flag in lights across the stage.

“It’s my first time here in Syracuse,” said Koffee with a grin after full reggae beats blared her song “Throne.”

Despite the 45-degree night, Koffee was wearing a short sleeve OVO sweatshirt and shorts. Throughout her set, she inserted “Syracuse” into her lyrical flow. 

“Keep the fire burning,” she said, before she started her song “Burning.”

Koffee kept inviting students on stage to sing along to songs like “Toast.” The 19-year-old vibed to the crowd reaction, standing on the speaker and pacing back and forth while high-fiving fans.

The Jamaican artist gave one last smile before turning left to leave the crowd, marking the end of Bandersnatch 2019.