California indie rock band Best Coast will show the East Coast some love with a free Gainesville performance Friday.
Known for their beachy, upbeat songs, the duo will be performing at 7 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom as part of Reitz Union Board Entertainment’s first Big Orange Festival.
RUB president Jessica Watson, a 22-year-old UF public relations senior, said the band — which will be paid $25,000 — is a perfect fit for the festival.
The event will also feature carnival games, art vendors and a performance by Jake and Amir from CollegeHumor.
“(Best Coast’s) vibe really fits in well with what we’re trying to do — big and vibrant,” Watson said.
Wristbands will be distributed to students with a Gator 1 Card on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reitz Union’s northwest walkway and Friday at 2 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom registration desk.
Students can pick up two guest wristbands per ID at the information desk at 5 p.m. Friday.
Claire Fuller, a 20-year-old UF public relations sophomore, said she’s been a Best Coast fan since high school.
“RUB does a good job bringing bands that our age group is into,” she said.
RUB Bands Committee co-director Abigail Gruspe, a 20-year-old UF nutrition junior, said her committee’s been hoping to bring Best Coast for a while.
“They’re super summery and upbeat,” she said. “I think it will be a good last hurrah before summer.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 4/7/2014 under the headline "Best Coast to give East Coast a chance at UF"]
