Every year, there are two events that I would argue are compulsory to attend among Yale students. The first happens in the fall: the Yale-Harvard football game. Ironically, it was my first time going to the game during my junior year. However, one event that I’ve never missed is that which takes place every spring. Until my second semester at Yale, I didn’t even realize how major of an event this is for some people. For those who have done their hardcore Yale research, perhaps stalking a current Yale students’ Instagram, you probably already know what this event is. Think cheetah-print, rhinestone eyes, feathered hair, and Pit Vipers. Or maybe think boho, cowboy boots, flower crowns, and denim skirts. Alas, it’s Yale’s Spring Fling!
What is Spring Fling? On paper, Spring Fling is a day-long music festival organized by Yale students, and it is the largest student-organized event at Yale. Every year, the Spring Fling team reaches out to professional artists, DJs, and bands to come perform on Yale’s Old Campus at the end of April or the beginning of May. In my time at Yale, my favorite artists they’ve brought to Yale are Japanese Breakfast, Amine, and Dayglow. However, past lineups include Janelle Monae, Diplo, Macklemore, MGMT, and Playboi Carti to name just a few. The team tries to bring a diverse group of musical acts, so that everyone has something to look forward to.
In addition to the professional acts, Spring Fling invites student groups to be openers for the festival. Groups are chosen at the Battle of the Bands, a musical competition that takes place a month before the festival, where students can vote on their favorite acts and choose who they’d like to see perform the day of Spring Fling.
Now, Spring Fling is of course great, because live music is great. However, many would agree that that isn’t even what makes Spring Fling such a memorable event. For me, I like Spring Fling because of all the anticipation leading up to it. The actual day of Spring Fling is never as fun as I imagine it to be (RIP), but in the weeks and months beforehand, there always seems to be a giddy excitement shared among the student body. The festival is one of those days when teachers don’t expect you to work on assignments, clubs don’t meet, and everyone comes out of winter hibernation to wear silly outfits and run around. Because the festival also coincides with the end of the year, it is imbued with this sense of finality–the end is near, finals will be over soon, and summer is underway!
Recognize any of these artists from 2022?
Once the artists are announced in February, you also learn A LOT about your friends’ music tastes, seeing who is excited for what and who is disappointed with a given lineup. But even when the artists seem less well-known or exciting than the previous year, nobody is truly disappointed, because the day can be as fun as you make it to be! If music isn’t your thing, it’s also an opportunity to have the library to yourself. LOL. My Spring Fling itinerary always includes a trip to the dining hall to load up on their special “festival menu.” No matter how you “fling,” it’s one of those days that makes Yale, Yale.
