A familiar name is set to headline this year’s MainSTAGe concert: FLO RIDA. The artist, who last visited Fairfield four years ago, will perform again on Oct. 3.
This year’s concert will take place at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT. This is a change from the previous two years, when the event was held inside the Leo D. Mahoney Arena on campus.
According to Fairfield University Student Association President Courtney Sabogal and Vice President Amaia O’Brien, the venue change was necessary after the scheduling conflict they experienced last year.
In 2024, Zara Larsson performed at the University’s arena on November 2nd. This was a date that many students felt interfered with the Halloween festivities. Because the arena is home to Fairfield’s athletics teams, available dates were limited.
“The only days offered to us were during a university break or November 2nd,” Sabogal explained. “There wasn’t much we could do.”
Logistics also played a role in changing the venue this year. FUSA was required in the past to build its own stage in the arena, something that O’Brien described as “a lot easier” to avoid by moving the concert to the amphitheater.
Both Sabogal and O’Brien, current seniors, also noted that attending an off-campus venue felt more “official” and added to the excitement during their own freshman year concert. For current students, the Class of 2026 is the last class to have experienced the MainSTAGe show off campus.
For students concerned about transportation to the amphitheater, O’Biren made it clear that buses and Uber vouchers will be provided. The cost of transportation is included in student ticket prices.
Additionally, all students’ tickets will be located in the amphitheater’s pit and floor section, providing them with a front-row view of the performance.
“We would very much like to highlight that,” O’Brien said, noting that FUSA hopes the setup will excite students by keeping everyone together and close to the stage.
FUSA is hopeful that these changes, in addition to a more “known” headliner, will raise student attendance at the concert.
Sabogal explained that FLO RIDA was chosen in part because of the positive response to his previous performance at Fairfield. “Everyone always talks about that when they compare other concerts,” she said. FUSA is hoping that by considering student feedback this year, attendance will improve.
A Fizz poll made last year shared its displeasure with the concert in comparison with nearby colleges, saying that “SHU gets A BOOGIE as a spring concert….FUSA do better next year.”
FUSA hopes that this year will be a turnaround year and that the event will set the tone for the rest of the year, ultimately contributing to FUSA’s success in connecting with students.
But despite the changes, questions about turnout remain. Attendance at the past two MainSTAGe concerts has been notably low and some students are still undecided about attending this year.
“I haven’t gone the past two years, but it didn’t seem like I was missing much,” junior Caroline Cohen said when asked about this year’s concert.
“I don’t know if I will go. But I definitely know more FLO RIDA songs than the artists who came out in the past two years.” Cohen said. “I didn’t even know who 2 Chainz was when he came,” she added, referencing the spring 2024 concert in the Mahoney Arena, when 2 Chainz headlined with Kalii on April 5.
Students took to Fizz again after the news of the performer came out. Their comments online suggest a somewhat positive outlook. A recent Fizz poll with more than 1,400 student votes found that 53% plan to attend.
FUSA hopes that the combination of a more notable performer, a new venue and improved logistics will re-energize the MainSTAGe tradition. As president, Sabogal put it, “We want this to be an exciting experience for everyone.”
