Hoodie Allen, Chiddy Bang perform at Fall Fest

A few hours before he threw a cake into the crowd on Bigelow Boulevard, Hoodie Allen learned facts and trivia about Pitt in his William Pitt Union dressing room.

Steven Adam Markowitz, also known as Hoodie Allen, of Long Island, N.Y., headlined this year’s Fall Fest on Sunday, which Pitt Program Council sponsored. Allen delivered some of his most popular songs along with a mix of freestyle raps about all things Pitt: the Cathedral of Learning, Primanti Bros. and Pitt’s school rivals Penn State University and West Virginia University. 

While on stage, Allen also took the opportunity to celebrate his drummer’s birthday. 

“We have a surprise for you,” Allen said to the drummer. “But first we have to sing. I need everyone to sing along.” 

He held his mic out to the crowd and, together, they sang “Happy Birthday.” 

“Okay, we have something for you,” he said to the drummer.

A stagehand came forward with a birthday cake. He handed it to Allen, who hoisted it above his head.

“We got you a cake,” he said.

He walked to the front of the stage and threw the cake into the crowd.

It exploded into fragments of icing and landed in the middle of the crowd. The crowd cheered again, and someone tossed pieces back at the stage. One chunk almost landed on Hoodie’s shoes. 

Allen wasn’t the only performer at Fall Fest.

Chiddy Bang, an American hip-hop recording artist whose real name is Chidera Anamega, opened for Allen. Though both acts are currently touring together, Kim Nguyen, PPC event director, said PPC didn’t plan them as a package deal for Fall Fest. 

Chiddy Bang performed his songs “Mind Your Manners” and “Ray Charles,” among others, to a crowd jumping and singing along. 

“It was a great way to take your mind off of things,” said Jacky Chen, a junior majoring in neuroscience. 

The Brothers Craig, a band comprised of three Pitt roommates, started the show. The band won PPC’s Battle of the Bands competition on Sept. 25 to earn their spot to open for Chiddy Bang. The Brothers Craig — Stephen Kraus, Paul Carey and Jack Loeffler — performed songs about Pitt’s social scene and Greek life. 

Loeffler, a junior communication major and singer and guitarist and percussionist for The Brothers Craig, said the crowd was much bigger than anything they’ve played before, which made it an unforgettable experience. 

“My favorite part was playing our ‘Billie Jean’/‘Get Lucky’ mashup,” Loeffler said. “Stephen and Paul brought the house down with their epic djembe and guitar duet they did towards the end.”

Kraus, a junior information science major and also a singer, drummer and guitarist for the band, said the experience was incredible. 

“I’m a huge fan of both Chiddy [Bang] and Hoodie [Allen], and being given the opportunity to open for such talented artists was awesome,” Kraus said.

Students at Fall Fest also had free access to spin art, airbrush tattoos, caricatures and caramel apples on the WPU patio area prior to and during the concert. Brittany Wilson, PPC’s public relations director, said approximately 2,000 people attended the event, which ended at 4:30 p.m.

Fall Fest takes months to plan, Nguyen said. PPC began organizing the event last semester, and Nguyen said they decided on Allen and Chiddy Bang after whittling down a list of more than 100 possible artists. 

After brainstorming possible artists, Nguyen and PPC contacted their talent manager, who is not affiliated with the University, to get in touch with artists and discuss pricing information. PPC then chose Allen and Chiddy Bang. 

“They’re just really normal,” Nguyen said. “And they really love their fans.”

For some students, Fall Fest can be an event to look forward to every year. 

“For a Sunday afternoon, the whole school gets together to listen and hang out,” freshman Anita Shim said.