by Nia Decaille and Hae Young Yoo

Juicy J, Kesha, and a third artist who will be revealed later because Fall Out Boy couldn’t make it.

No, this is not the lineup for the spring concert. UMass Amherst Student Government Association member and presidential candidate Sionan Barrett last night, confirmed two of the three artists who will grace the stage of the Mullins Center on March 7. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the best part? It’s free for all UMass students with a UCard.

The concert provides a safe space for students to celebrate in an effort to deter the binge day drinking and rowdy behavior that made national headlines last year. Amherst Wire editor Taylor Gilmore predicts the need for a large organized event like this in “The solution to Blarney Blowout.” This does not guarantee a perfect weekend, but it addresses one of the major problems from last year’s festivities by giving students a place to gather.

Barrett and a group of students helped organize the concert after a month and a half of planning. “I suggested it to the Vice Chancellor as the only thing big enough to draw people away from anything negative. The Mullins Center gave us a list—as time went by, we narrowed [the artists] down based on availability,” said Barrett.

The group decided who would perform about two weeks ago after meeting with Vice Chancellor Enku Gelaye. Keeping the event a secret was difficult after a member of the SGA circulated a picture of Barrett’s notes from a previous meeting. The surprise appeared on The Daily Hampshire Gazette and on the picture-sharing website, Fade.

Barrett said she was proud to have been of assistance. “I’d rather be apart of something that gives the school good press.”

Yes, there is some truth to the rumors: UMass Amherst is throwing a concert with headline-worthy acts. Students can expect an email from the Vice Chancellor detailing the events for March 7 weekend.

Nia Decaille can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DUHcaille
Hae Young Yoo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @drinkyoohoo

*Correction: An earlier version of the article stated Fall Out Boy would perform. UMass Amherst has yet to confirm its third artist*