As the lights faded to black, the crowd at Dixie State University roared for Macklemore.
Welcome to The Heist.
A little rain did nothing to deter the fans of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Friday at the second stop of the MTVU’s tour to the 2013 Woodie Awards.
The persistent overcast threatened to rain on concert day, and in the hours before the show, it poured.
But there were indoor options for those seeking a different atmosphere.
The St. George Institute of Religion hosted a showing of “Wreck-It Ralph.”
“We didn’t feel like the concert met the standards that we wanted to promote, and we didn’t feel like that was an activity that represented a high percentage of the students in this area,” institute instructor Mike Butler said.
But the concert drew more diehard fans. There were students who had camped out since midnight by the Hansen Stadium for the concert, and they said they couldn’t believe Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were performing at DSU.
“I’m way excited,” said Caleb Baldwin, a sophomore communication major from Odgen. “I’ve been waiting awhile to see this. I didn’t think he’d be here; I thought it’d be slim chances that he’d actually make it here because (of) just where we are, but our student government did it!”
Students from all over Utah traveled to see the creators of the Billboard No. 1 hit “Thrift Shop.”
“I think a lot of people know ‘Thrift Shop,’ but there are a lot more better songs,” said Nathan Stevenson, a freshman general education major from St. George.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis did not disappoint. From the powerful opening number, “Ten Thousand Hours,” a perfect example of how nothing, especially a little rain, can stop us from following our dreams to “Same Love,” the song Macklemore said would be the one song he’d play to the world. He wanted to promote its message of compassion, tolerance and equality.
There was also a hilarious rendition of “Thrift Shop,” complete with a vest made of what Macklemore called “Utah billy goat” that he had borrowed from the audience.
Macklemore was a firecracker of energy the entire concert. Ryan Lewis pumped up the audience as Macklemore raised them up even further through his antics, which included climbing up the scaffolding.
He always made a point to talk and joke with the audience, even competing with a member of the audience in a cream cheese juggling act.
This is one of the many traits his fans appreciate in him.
“Macklemore’s got a great message and helps kids follow their dreams because he worked hard,” Baldwin said. “Many people are devoted to making money, but Macklemore’s doing something purposeful and something he loves.”
His lyrics also resound with his fans.
“I like how he’s truthful about his music and he doesn’t rap about drugs or sex,” Stevensen said. “He only raps about good things like trying to be sober or his heritage in ‘Irish Celebrations.’ It’s really cool.”
With Stevensen’s Irish flag waving across the stage by Ryan Lewis, Macklemore stormed the stage and performed “Irish Celebrations” as a second encore before the lights went black and the band left the stage.
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