Starkville’s Cotton District transformed into a giant party site Friday for Bulldog Bash. MSU students, alumni and people from the community gathered in the streets to enjoy music, food and company. Prior to the Bash, the Cotton District featured inflatables and other family activities.
The evening activities began after a pep rally led by MSU cheerleaders.
The music kicked off at 7:15 p.m. with the Kitchen Blues Band, who performed at the Grill Stage on Maxwell Street. The band performed a number of blues and funk-influenced songs as the sun set and crowds began to the Cotton District.
Meanwhile, Jonezetta, an alternative/pop/rock band from Clinton, performed on the Main Stage. The band members, wearing vests and ties, performed a set of originals and a cover of Harvey Danger’s ’90s alternative anthem, “Flagpole Sitta.”
Following Jonezetta’s performance, its members said they were excited about playing at Bulldog Bash.
Drummer Alex Warren, drummer for Jonezetta was a former MSU student.
“It was fun,” he said. “It was good to be back and see people we [know]. We’d love to come back again.”
R&B singer Bobby Valentino played a variety of hits and covers.
He enthusiastically engaged the crowd by talking about his experiences in North Mississippi and letting a few fans dance on stage.
Meanwhile at the Grill Stage, Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy engaged its crowd.
In addition to its mixture of rock and country songs, the band performed a cover of Tupac and Dr. Dre’s “California Love.”
Red Hill City, the final band playing at the Grill Stage, started its performance late, after waiting on the bassist for 15 minutes.
“Our bassist has been having some trouble on the road with cops and such,” lead singer Tyler King said.
The band began by performing acoustic versions of its songs before returning to its electric instruments to finish the performance.
Despite the band’s technical difficulties, it received the crowd’s approval and applause.
The Bash culminated with Eric Church’s performance on the Main Stage.
The crowd swelled as Church took the stage and began his performance, which blended country and classic rock.
Between songs, an exuberant crowd started MSU cheers like the “Maroon/White” call.
Included in Church’s set was a medley of classic rock tunes spanning from AC/DC to a cover of the song “Black Betty” by Ram Jam.
Vendors set up in the streets included Mugshots, State of the Future campaign and the U.S. Army.
Those who did not bring their own coolers were able to enjoy food and beverages from the vendors as well as restaurants in the area.
Student Association President Jeremy Johnson said he received negative feedback about the lack of high profile bands.
“There was a lot of controversy before [the Bash], but to see the amount of people [attending was great],” he said. “There’s always going to be someone that doesn’t like the bands or wants to see someone else. Smaller bands have benefits. They want to show off their talents, and in a small state like Mississippi word spreads quickly [about new bands].”
By 10 p.m. the Cotton District’s streets were filled.
Security remained visible throughout the night, patrolling the crowds, checking abandoned coolers and watching for fights and other disturbances.
Many students said they appreciated the opportunity for people at the university and community to come together and enjoy music and each other.
Following the event, Johnson said the Bash turned out to be a great success.
“It went above all expectations,” he said.
Johnson said the cleanup after the event would take two to four hours, depending on how long it took for the crowd to disperse.
He also said having only two stages as opposed to last year’s three did not affect the Bash.
“It was good to see people focused [in the area] around the two stages,” Johnson said.
Reactions by students and others in regard to the Bash overall were positive.
Freshman biological sciences major Kyle Kimbrough helped clean up after the Bash.
“I loved it; the people, the music, everything,” he said. “It might take a while [to clean up] since people are staying around after but it means they were having a good time.
Bash showcases new talent
Up-and-coming country music artist Eric Church performed at the eighth annual Bulldog Bash, sponsored by the MSU Student Association. Church, a North Carolina native, performed songs from his first album, Sinners Like Me, including his single “How ‘Bout You.”
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