Smoke filled The Convo Friday night as Wiz Khalifa — who, ironically, is known for rapping about smoking marijuana — took to the stage for a sold-out crowd.
“The issue is that a lot of students see the concert as a right and not a privilege,” said Student Senate President Kyle Triplett, who estimated that seven people were removed for smoking during the show. “They got rid of the people who were doing it for the most part, and I certainly hope that sent a message and that it doesn’t ruin the experience for others.”
Two individuals smoking marijuana in the lower level were dragged out, heads locked under the arms of Ohio University event services security personnel. Others were plucked out of the upper level seats for smoking.
The official number of students removed for marijuana use will not be available until Monday, according to the OU Police Department.
Despite legal hiccups, Triplett said the administration seemed pleased overall with how the concert went in terms of ticket sales and positive reception from the student body.
Not including Friday-night ticket sales, about 4,750 tickets were sold for this year’s Convo concert — 2,000 more tickets than were sold for last year’s B.o.B concert.
“We were very pleased with the concert and felt it was a huge success,” said Andrew Holzaepfel, OU’s associate director of the Campus Involvement Center. “There was great energy in The Convo Friday night, and we know that Wiz really enjoyed the performance.”
Sean Kingston opened the show with hits such as “Beautiful Girls” and “Fire Burning,” but his set hit a snag when he mistakenly called out “Ohio State University” — which resulted in a chorus of boos from the crowd.
“I didn’t like (Sean Kingston),” said Sara Abrahamsen, an OU freshman. “He was really annoying. … There are signs everywhere that say Ohio University, so he should probably know where he is.”
Despite some harsh feelings about Kingston’s performance, most students said they were very pleased with Wiz, the headlining act.
“It was a great concert,” said Tyler James, an OU sophomore studying public relations. “I felt like I was hanging out with him. It was a good time.”
wh092010@ohiou.edu
