As Rockstock nears, how are students feeling about headliner Dan + Shay?

Emily Buhr, Staff Writer

Country music duo Dan + Shay are set to perform Friday at Rockhurst’s annual Rockstock event held on the university’s Lower Bourke field.

With recent Rockstock headliners such as the All-American Rejects and Hoodie Allan in mind, Dan + Shay are certainly bringing a new sound to campus. The band, named after vocalists and songwriters Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, was established in 2012 and originates from Nashville, Tennessee.

The group’s debut single “19 You + Me” was the kickstart to their county music career in October 2013. The debut album Where It All Began followed in April 2014. The single “Show You Off” followed as the group began to gain notoriety in the country music industry, and  the group’s third single “Nothin’ Like You” reached No. 1 on country radio charts in December 2015.

Singles “From the Ground Up” and “How Not To” off the album the album Obsessed also garnered tons of popularity. Dan + Shay’s current hit single “Tequila” continues to remain popular in country radio.

Upon hearing the announcement of this year’s performer, students had mixed reactions. I recently took to Einstein’s on campus to ask students how they really felt about the upcoming concert.

  • “I’m pumped because you always see bigger schools hosting famous singers, and Rockstock gives us a chance to have that experience,” said Mason Balser, a freshman.
  • “I’m looking for a band with upbeat and fun music. Dan + Shay won’t really pump me up, so I will probably end up leaving early,” said Rend Schindler, a senior.
  • “I’m excited for Rockstock because it’s a different kind of artist than I’ve heard here before. I love country music, especially Dan + Shay in particular, so I just expect it to be a really good show,” – Allison Skidmore, a junior.
  • “I’m very upset about it, but I’m sure it’ll still be fun. For this being my freshman year, I was hoping for someone different,” said Tessa Buchheit, a freshman.
  • “I like them a lot, but would much rather it be a pop artist,” said Courtney Chitwood, a freshman.
  • “I tried listening to their music recently while I was cooking to see if I wanted to go to the concert and it was a struggle. Most of the people I’ve talked to aren’t very excited about it,” said Luke Carron, a senior.
  • “It’s amazing. A major switch up from the past few years so I am super excited,” said Ida Pellumbi, a senior.
  • “I’m personally a fan of the Rockstock selection this year,” said Hunter Krenek, a senior.

Doors open at 8 p.m. Friday, with the concert scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. with opening act Day Wave. The event is free for Rockhurst students, faculty and staff with proper Rockhurst identification.

Each student, faculty or staff member may bring up to two guests, but they must be registered at the Student Activites Box in Massman Hall by Friday at 4 p.m. All guests must be age 16 and older.