Worth the Wait? Amherst Spring Concert Lineup Announced
Following the announcement of Amherst’s Spring Concert lineup — featuring the Anti-Citizens, Hot Chelle Rae, and Kyle — Managing Features Editors Talia Ehrenberg ’28, Belaine Mamo ’27 and Ava Nair ’28 investigate student reactions and what to expect from this year’s concert.
On Tuesday, Director of Student Engagement and inclusion in the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership Torshia Maxwell, announced the long-awaited lineup for the college’s annual Spring Concert.
The concert, to be held on Saturday in LeFrak Gymnasium, will include the popular student band The Anti-Citizens — who have previously performed at Marsh Coffee Haus, Humphries House, and the annual talent show — as the opener. Featured students and alumni in the band are Jackson Hersom ’27, Kaisar Perry ’26, Tyler Bean ’26, Luca Clark ’25, and Vica Henry ’25. Their set is to be followed by pop-rock group Hot Chelle Rae and headliner Kyle. Based in Nashville, Hot Chelle Rae rose to prominence with its hit 2011 song, “Tonight Tonight,” while Los Angeles-based artist Kyle is best known for his 2016 single “iSpy,” featuring Lil Yachty.
Students’ reactions to the lineup were mixed, with some expressing excitement about the performers and others voicing their frustration with both the selection of artists and the timing of the announcement.
“I’m pleasantly surprised, for how little they told us,” Dede Lonsdale ’27 said.
Others emphasized the artists’ lack of relevance in the last decade compared to their careers before. “I like ‘iSpy,’ but I don’t understand why we’re not having people who are prominent now,” Maya Maaloul ’28 said.
Meanwhile, Amherst’s own opening band is drawing its crowd. “I wish they had announced them sooner, but I’m excited for The Anti-Citizens — that’s the reason I’m going," August Selvaggio ’28 said.
In addition to the performances themselves, this year’s concert will include an after-party, possibly in response to students’ overall satisfaction with the fall and spring raves. According to the emailed announcement, similar to the raves and The Amherst Party, drinks will be available for students 21 and older with a valid Amherst College ID and a state or government-issued ID.
Looking forward, multiple students offered suggestions for how future concerts could be organized to increase student approval. Lonsdale suggested shifting to a biennial concert to pool funding for more well-known artists.
On the other end, Lily Clark ’26 shared that she’s “always thought that they should have local Northampton bands that we don’t know.”
Despite varied reactions, many confirmed their excitement to attend. “If it’s got a beat, I’ll dance to it. I would have a good time no matter what,” Valentine Dining Hall Meal Checker Renee Alvarez said.
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