With pop starlet Ke$ha landing the top spot on University Union’s Block Party survey and Trey Songz placing third , UU was thrilled to book two of the three acts students most wanted to see for this year’s show.

“It’s one of the biggest shows we’ve brought to Syracuse,” said Kelly Benini, UU’s concert director.

After a few years of concerts saturated with hip-hop and electronic dance music acts, Ke$ha’s headlining set brings a fresh burst of Top 40 pop to the Carrier Dome stage. The songstress’ song “C’Mon” has spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, hot on the heels of “Die Young,” which peaked at the second spot on the chart.

Ke$ha’s performance will most likely be jammed to capacity with her radio hits — safe bets include “TiK ToK,” “Blow” and “Take it Off.”

Benini said the show’s production will be much different than the EDM setup for last year’s headliner Kaskade. This year will feature confetti and, of course, glitter.

Tickets for the show are still available, but Benini predicts it will be close to selling out by the day of the show. Tickets cost $15 for Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students with a valid ID, and are $40 for the general public. Only second- and third-level reserved seating tickets are left, Benini said.

Benini said the announcement of Trey Songz as direct support caused a spike in ticket sales, and that the crooner brings rhythm and blues and crossover appeal for fans.

“We’re really excited about bringing him,” she said.

Songz released his latest album, titled “Chapter V,” in August of last year. He climbed the charts in 2010 with both “Say Aah” and “Bottoms Up,” featuring guest verses from Fabolous and Nicki Minaj, respectively, and both reaching the Billboard Top 10. He’s also collaborated with Drake, J. Cole and Lupe Fiasco.

Benini said the opening slot of Block Party’s lineup is typically reserved for upcoming young talent, and San Francisco hip-hop trio Drop City Yacht Club are filling that void for this year’s concert. The group debuted with an EP in February, with tour dates with rapper Kendrick Lamar and a first full-length album on the horizon for the rest of the year.

“We think they’ll really blow up,” Benini said.

UU took to social media to help promote the show, plus the organization wanted to get more interactivity and feedback, Benini said. Some contests UU launched on Twitter included trivia contests, iPhone cover giveaways and a meme-making contest for Trey Songz.

One of UU’s biggest hits is the organization’s three-day Block Party tank top giveaway. Benini said that on the first day, they were gone in 20 minutes. The second day? Gone in an hour.

“We all love them,” she said with a laugh.

Benini said she’s proud of the diverse lineup UU curated between MayFest and Block Party this year: between Trey Songz’ R&B leanings, Ke$ha’s pop sensibilities, Drop City Yacht Club and Earl Sweatshirt’s hip-hop shows and an EDM performance from Sound Remedy, UU covered its genre bases.

Hopeful that the weather doesn’t dampen a second straight MayFest, Benini thinks nice weather will get fans excited for both shows.

“There’s bound to be an act that you’re going to be interested in,” Benini said. “And if the weather is anything like today for MayFest, we’ll be in good shape.”

Published on April 25, 2013 at 12:32 am

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