Mississippi State University celebrates its 13th annual Bulldog Bash, the largest free outdoor concert in the state of Mississippi, this weekend. Over the past 13 years, Starkville has welcomed performers such as The Avett Brothers, Jason Mraz, Third Eye Blind, Gavin Degraw, Matt Wertz, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain, Eric Church and Bobby Valentino. This year, MSU boasts country group Eli Young Band as headliner, with Gloriana and Andy Grammar as supporting acts.
Shelby Balius, SA President, said this year’s Bulldog Bash differs from previous years in its setup.
 ”In years past, we have actually had at least two stages in the Cotton District,” she said. “This year, we decided to just have it on one so that we could have a wider array of a variety of music on the main stage, so instead of having to go from one place to another, the crowd can stay in one place and enjoy all the different genres of music.  It makes it a little easier for the fans’ experience.”
Not only is the physical setup of the event different this fall, Balius said the music also appeals to a larger variety of students; whereas, last year The Avett Brothers appealed to a very specific fan base.
“I think we really lucked out last year with The Avett Brothers having such a strong fan base in our college town, and one of the goals of our directors this year was to create a little bit more of a mainstream lineup.”
In the same way The Avett Brothers appealed to Starkville residents specifically, Balius said she hopes the country feel of this year’s lineup will contribute to the southern feel of the event and make the event even more distinctive to Starkville.
“Even though we had to make a change to where it was a mostly country lineup, we have gotten really great and positive feedback, so hopefully we will be able to continue that success for this year,” she said. “The country music atmosphere is very strong in Starkville, so I think it’s going to be a very great time for students and community members to come out and have a good time.”
Balius said her involvement with Bulldog Bash has allowed her to be privy to many opportunities to interact with the performers and see the ways that different artists act when presented with opportunities such as this.
 ”You have some artists that just want to stay on the tour bus until it’s ready for them to go on, and then you have others, like last year. You have The Avett Brothers who hopped in the van with us, and we went to City Bagel for a little bit during the day,” she said. “It was a really neat experience, and it just shows you the ability for someone so professional and a music artist to really be a down-to-earth person.”
This year’s event promises to exceed standards of previous years and, in turn, raise the bar for Bulldog Bashes to come.