Walking into the 2014 UCF Homecoming Concert, I didn’t expect I was going to enjoy much.
While I was excited to see Icona Pop, having a mild obsession with synth-pop, I anticipated a disappointing performance from B.o.B and an inferior production overall. However, I was surprised to find that B.o.B. is a gifted entertainer who knows how to put on a show. He genuinely cares about making sure the crowd has a good time and demonstrates a lot of energy on stage.
It’s just too bad the problems plaguing him on his albums are still present live. He’s a mediocre rapper who succeeds because he can write the occasional catchy chorus and relies too heavily on features and production. Picking him for this year’s Homecoming Concert was not the worst decision made, but it certainly was not the best.
However, before B.o.B took the stage, students were presented with an opening act from the Swedish synth-pop duo, Icona Pop.
What I was most surprised to find was that the duo did not play any instruments and instead had someone behind them, providing the production from a laptop. Even though I have no problem with groups that utilize electronics to provide their sound, it was a little disappointing to realize all of the acts of the night utilized this format. It would have been nice to see some variation. All throughout Icona Pop’s performance, the video screens behind performers would play, what looked like early 2000’s Windows Media Player visualizer. Unlike the antiquated software, however, the images never seemed to sync well with the music, along with the lights, that appeared to be intended solely to blind audience members. B.o.B’s set suffered this same problem, although his occasionally included a segment from the accompanying music video on the screen behind him.
When Icona Pop left the stage, I found I felt satisfied with their performance. It was not anything incredible, but they managed to keep up the energy and provide enough entertainment to warrant their appearance.
After a brief intermission, headliner B.o.B. took the stage and did what you would expect. While I briefly touched on how adept a performer he was, I’d like to point out my largest qualm, which is the myriad of guest performers he chose to present. While special appearances are a staple of most hip-hop records, he seemed to utilize them like a crutch or a Band-Aid, in an attempt to conceal his own shortcomings as a rapper. It’s a practice that may help boost the sales of his albums, but live it just comes across as an excuse for a lack of talent or material.
Once B.o.B., and his multitude of feature guests left the stage I looked around the CFE Arena and saw that most people were leaving, having had a good time. If you were attending the concert in hopes of witnessing a high energy production, then the 2014 Homecoming Concert was definitely a success. If you were looking for an objectively well done show, it’s hard to ignore all the flaws that permeated the event and appreciate the positive qualities.
