Singer Olivia O’Brien Selected to Headline Springfest 2023

After a long wait, the Student Government Association (SGA) announced via email to the student body that singer Olivia O’Brien will headline the annual Springfest concert on Saturday, April 29. The 23-year-old singer is best known for her 2017 feature on Gnash’s “hate u, love u” and viral single “Josslyn.”

SGA also announced that Lakeyah, a rapper whose songs have gained popularity on TikTok, will open the concert at Sanford Field House.

Although SGA sent a poll to Colgate University students in November to vote on potential options for a Springfest headliner, neither of the artists that have been selected to perform were included on the initial list.

“We do want to share that due to unforeseen logistical circumstances, including constantly changing availability and prices, we were not able to secure one of the original artist choices,” the April 12 announcement email read. “Olivia O’Brien and Lakeyah were selected to balance both genre and representation.”

Still, SGA noted that the funds to secure an artist were larger this year due to a surplus related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cancelation of events throughout 2020 and 2021, including Springfest.

“The fact that future Springfest concerts will very likely not have the same amount of funding as this year’s offers further incentive to enjoy this celebration as much as possible,” the email read.

SGA also shared guest registration details and concert guidelines in the announcement email, adding that more information will become available soon.

Last year’s headliner T-Pain and opener Bryce Vine were announced on February 11, 2022.