CAROLINE KIRKPATRICK / CONTRIBUTOR

USD’s annual spring Olé Fest not only electrified the immediate crowd, but shook the perimeter of the USD campus on May 3, 2024. With three artists gracing the audience with their presence, fans went wild for the beats laid down by Noluv James, NOTD and 070 Shake. 

Sophomore singer and rapper Noluv James was the student opening act. James captivated the audience with his beautiful vocals and effortless runs. No high notes were botched and no beats missed. Not only was his voice easy on the ears, but every song was distinguishable from one another, which is an overlooked, yet important aspect in music. He performed original songs that one could imagine hearing on the radio. Noluv’s stage presence was fueled by his fellow football players cheering him on. He talked to the audience as if it was a one-on-one interaction. USD could sense his gratitude for simply being on stage. His mood enhanced the performance, and  with 10 songs he rounded the set out at 30 minutes. 

The non-USD opening act, one-half of a Swedish DJ duo called “NOTD,” brought the house down for a 45 minute set. Tobias Danielsson took control of the stage without his counterpart, Samuel Brandt, who was stuck in Sweden. Although he arguably lacked a significant stage presence and only threw in an occasional “what’s up USD!,” he knew what the audience wanted to hear: remixes of “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Houdini” by Dua Lipa and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA, representing his Swedish heritage. His transitions were smooth and sly, surprising the audience with every song. The background visuals were unique to each song, ensuring the audience’s entertainment in every aspect. The audience’s energy seemed a little low midway through the concert, but that didn’t phase Danielsson as he continued DJing with electric energy and genuinely having his own fun on stage. 

Headlining the night was American rapper and singer 070 Shake, along with a band. She opened with “Violent Crimes” by Kanye West, which blew away  the audience. While it seemed there were some technical difficulties with the guitar, the band quickly bounced back. The opening visuals portrayed 070 Shake trudging through snow on barren land, intensifying the mood. Contributing to the ambience was the heightened bass, whose vibrations could be physically felt by the audience. 

The artist promoted her new album, “Petracola,” by playing a few unreleased tracks, all seeming to be accepted, with fans eagerly awaiting a release. Shake’s hit, “Guilty Conscience,” was a fan favorite and got everyone singing along. She was highly interactive, even giving a devoted fan the microphone to sing a verse. 070 Shake ended the night with their featured song, “Ghost Town” by Kanye West, bookending the hour-long set with Kanye songs. 

In addition to the concert, TPB provided free french fries, milkshakes and games to round out the experience. All in all, students had a blast at the 2024 Olé Fest. 

USD junior student Addison McCrary shared her thoughts on the performance. “Even though not everyone knew all the words to 070 Shake’s songs, everyone was still having fun and she was good at keeping the crowd engaged,” McCrary said. USD first-year Alessandra Fiore agreed. “Amazing performers, amazing songs, amazing ambiance. A special experience to see one of my favorite artists on the university’s campus that will be remembered,” Fiore said. 

A still of 070 Shake performing at USD’s Olé Fest last friday. Photo courtesy of Caroline Kirkpatrick/USD Radio