OfficialIX and the Nice Guys will have the honor of performing during Hofstra’s Music Fest in spring 2023. // Photo courtesy of Hofstra Concerts

On Friday, March 10, Hofstra Concerts hosted its annual Battle for Music Fest in the Cultural Center Theater. The competition decides who will perform at Hofstra’s annual spring music festival. The lineup included OfficialX and the Nice Guys, Julia Dasey, Aidan Kilgallon, Healturn and The Chilly Dogs and brought a variety of genres, including rock, country and rap.

Last year’s winner of Battle for Music Fest was senior music business major Amiri Lake, whose stage name is Ice Man Mir. The student rapper won the opportunity to open for 24kGoldn at Music Fest 2022.

Before the event officially began, the room was packed, the speakers were booming and the crowd buzzed as they excitedly waited to witness what this year’s lineup of performers would bring to the table, waving red glow sticks in anticipation.

Before the competition began, it was announced that the voting process would be slightly different than last year. Rather than having one round before the audience submits their final vote, there would be two rounds.

In the first round, all five solo artists and bands were given time to perform just one song. OfficialX and The Nice Guys were the opening act. The band’s lead rapper is sophomore music business major Xavier Bell, whose stage name is OfficialX. While Bell had been a recording artist before coming to Hofstra, his band OfficialX and The Nice Guys has only been together since December after their debut performance on Thursday Night Live.

They began with OfficialX’s unreleased rap single “Stomp.” The performance was unique compared to the following acts.

One of the main aspects that set them apart was the fact that they were the only rap band on the lineup, and they were also the only band who had brought back-up dancers on stage to perform with them, dressed in Bell’s unreleased clothing line.

Once all the musical talents got a chance to perform in the first round, there was a brief intermission during which a paper ballot was passed around to every member in the audience. Each person could vote for one band, and only the top two artists would advance to the second and final round.

After all votes were in and counted, OfficialX and The Nice Guys and The Chilly Dogs had won, giving both bands the chance to perform one more song before the final vote.

OfficialX and the Nice Guys were up yet again to perform “Facade” from his album Nueva Arte, while The Chilly Dogs went with their song “Closing.” Both acts ended with roaring cheers from the crowd.

Hours before Battle for Music Fest, Bell’s energy and emotions were reserved as he anticipated one of the most important performances of his career.

“I’m calling it nervous excitement,” Bell said. “I’m just feeling grateful and humble, ‘cause if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be in this position right now.”

However, when voting was over and his band was announced the winner, his excitement couldn’t be contained. Their big victory had the lead rapper at a loss for words as he repeatedly exclaimed “Glory be to God,” expressing gratitude to everyone who voted for him.

Although The Chilly Dogs didn’t take the final victory, they still got their fair share of praise as multiple students stopped to pay them compliments and congratulate them on their way out.

“It was great,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Sean Moran. “The audience’s energy was amazing.”

Katie Rogers, the president of Hofstra Concerts and a music business major, was also in high spirits after seeing how the event turned out.

“The energy was up, people were dancing,” Rogers said. “Everyone obviously put so much effort into their performances and being here tonight.”

Rogers has been president of Hofstra Concerts for the past year after moving up from being hospitality chair.

“We’ve been a club for over 70 years …We’re pretty ancient,” Rogers said. “We’ve got a long history. A lot of cool people have come through here, and we’re happy to continue the legacy.”

Rogers was not at liberty to divulge who the secret musical guest would be at Music Fest 2023.

“We do not have the authority to announce the artist yet,” she said. But she could confirm that students could expect a “new and current vibe.” She also said the special guest artist will be revealed publicly at some point between late March and early April.