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The Edge emcees off-campus concert to bulk reputation

The Cabin Fever music festival attracted hundreds of people in its first year running.

“It was close to, if not more than, what we expected for the first year,” junior economics major and coordinator of the event Josh Campbell said. “Festivals take time before they really take off. ”

Cabin Fever was hosted in the East Peoria Event Center this past weekend.

“Festivals, even those which are indoor in cold, concrete spaces can really bring out the loving and community in a crowd like no other event can,” junior advertising major Ben Elkind said.

Cabin Fever featured about 20 bands including The Schwag, Art of ILL Fusion and Positive Vibr8ions.

“Cabin Fever seemed like a unique and totally stellar event,” Elkind said. “I’ve been to plenty of outdoor festivals, but certainly nothing like this before. I wanted to support something happening locally as well. I would definitely recommend this, but jam bands aren’t for everyone.”

Bradley radio station The Edge had a booth at Cabin Fever; they gave away free CDs, buttons and two tickets for upcoming music festival Spring Fling.

“[It’s] free promotion, we got to be here and help out Josh,” junior journalism major Louis Amberg of The Edge said. “We got to be around a lot of cool bands. It’s nice to get our name outside of Bradley.”

The Edge emceed bands throughout the event.

“We are announcing all the bands which allows us to really network and get the name out there,” Amberg said.

Junior psychology and philosophy major Lane Baird of The Edge said he enjoyed the music highlighted at the event.

“I would consider myself pretty in with this music,” he said. “It is what we play.”

Junior advertising major Morgan Steffens said she enjoyed the event.

“I would attend again especially if there are more bands, bigger names and [the] same prices [$25 cover charge],” she said.

There were bongos, guitars, incense and tents at the event, and many in attendance said they were relaxed.

“Generally, [it’s] a pretty chill environment with a lot of rad artists doing their thing for a small crowd,” Elkind said.

For the Edge, having such a high profile at the event allowed for the station to have a presence outside of the university.

“I think being there might legitamize the station in the Peoria landscape,” Elkind said. “We’re just now starting to connect with other promoters and to connect with other concert producers.”

Steffens said she felt like it was a miniature indoor camp.

“Josh Campbell had a great idea,” Steffens said. “A few things to improve on: beer prices, promotion and possibly a few more bands. Hopefully next year will have a better turn out.”

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