Big Sean will headline the A&O Fall Blowout this Friday, Oct. 10 at the Welsh-Ryan Arena, A&O Productions announced in a press release. Tickets will cost $10 and are now available through the Norris Box Office.
The opening act will be revealed in the course of the week. The lineup will also include student talent in the form of Bienen senior and two-time NU Battle of the DJs winner Lucas Messore, who will play the first set of the night.
Big Sean first made waves in 2007 when he became the youngest artist to be signed to Kanye West's label G.O.O.D Music. His first two albums, Finally Famous in 2011 and Hall of Fame in 2013, both debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The rapper has been in the news more recently for signing to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation in September, and his rumored relationship with rising pop star Ariana Grande.
"He's really high energy and people really know his music. He has a bunch of top hits," said concert director Morgan Hecht of choosing Big Sean for the headliner. "We think his energy and his music will be a great way to kick off the year for A&O, and the school year for everyone too." A&O had previously hinted at Big Sean by releasing a picture containing a silhouette of him last Thursday. Students who shared the picture with their guesses for the headliner stood to win a free snowboard from NU Ski Trip.
Blowout tickets will each cost $10 and can be purchased from the Norris Box Office, online and in person. The first 100 seniors to buy tickets will receive floor wristbands. Floor wristbands will also be distributed on the night of Blowout itself on a first-come-first-served basis to students who arrive early.
Like last year, students who purchase tickets will be entered into a raffle for a free ski trip package from NU Ski Trip. This marks A&O's second year of collaboration and co-sponsorship with NU Ski Trip, who will announce the mountain location of this year's ski trip onstage at Blowout.
This year, A&O also partnered with WNUR Streetbeat to choose a student opener for Blowout. Bienen senior Lucas Messore was picked to kick off the night. Messore DJs under the moniker 'Anleu' and won the NU Battle of the DJs twice in a row as 'Behind These Eyes'.
Free shuttles will be available to bus students both to and from the Welsh-Ryan Arena. Students must present WildCARDs to get into the venue.