Baala Shakya, Staff Photographer

On Saturday at approximately 7:30 p.m., minutes after Cults concluded their set, Spring Fling attendees were told to disperse from Old Campus until weather conditions improved. 

“Once I saw the lightning, I thought [Spring Fling] was over; I thought they were just going to keep postponing until it was eventually cancelled,” Aaliyah Short ’27 said. 

The event resumed over an hour later, in time for headliner Ken Carson to perform, although electronic duo Snakehips — which was slated to perform between Cults and Carson — had to leave before the lightning ceased. 

At 7:54 p.m., after the announcement on Old Campus, the Spring Fling committee sent out an email reiterating the message that attendees should disperse and seek shelter while outlining next steps. In alignment with safety protocol, the committee announced that the show would be allowed to continue 30 minutes after the most recent lightning strike. 

“The call to pause our show this year was made collectively by public safety officials, the dean’s office, the Spring Fling Chairs, and the stage-build production company, all of whom were following real time weather updates closely,” Morris Raskin ’26 wrote to the News on behalf of the Spring Fling committee’s chairs — Raskin, Jenna Chow ’27, Kristen Meola ’26 and Willa Hawthorne ’26.

According to committee chairs, while there is a plan in place in the event of any inclement weather, sporadic weather events such as that of this past weekend are more challenging to deal with on the spot. 

Spring Fling has been moved indoors in the past due to poor weather conditions, most recently in 2023. However, the Spring Fling committee needs at least a week before the show to plan a venue relocation, which requires early forecasts of extreme weather. 

Following Saturday evening’s dispersal, students left the green on Old Campus to shelter in nearby dorm locations. 

During the weather delay, Dawit Bonga ’28 told the News he was not “the biggest” Ken Carson fan, but thought the artist would give a fittingly “hype” Spring Fling performance. He would have been disappointed, he said, if the show were to be cancelled because it was his first Spring Fling, which he thought was the “event of the year.” 

At 8:58 p.m., the Yale Spring Fling Instagram account posted an update that Old Campus would reopen at 9:05 p.m. for Ken Carson. An email with the same announcement shortly followed. 

“Everyone just mobilized after the email. I honestly was surprised that so many people came back,” Short said. 

The committee chairs confirmed that the electronic duo Snakehips was unable to perform due to weather-related delays and the City of New Haven’s 10 p.m. curfew. 

The band expressed remorse for their inability to perform on their Instagram story Saturday evening, writing that they hope to “come back and party with [Yale] soon.” 

Kamile Makselyte ‘27 said she was “really mad” when the committee announced that Ken Carson would come on after the weather delay without any mention of Snakehips. 

Despite her disappointment, Makselyte joined the crowds of students who returned to Old Campus after the announcement that the show would be resuming. 

Old Campus quickly refilled for Ken Carson, who performed “Yale” among his other hit songs. 

Although Carson performed to a raucous crowd, not everyone was impressed. 

“Getting my pants and shoes incredibly muddy was not worth a 30 minute set in a mosh pit,” Makselyte said. 

Despite the disruption to this year’s concert, the Spring Fling committee said it worked hard to ensure students could still get the best experience possible.

“Every year, Spring Fling comes with its curveballs,” Raskin wrote to the News on behalf of the committee, pointing to original headliner NLE Choppa’s cancellation about two weeks before he was set to perform. 

The committee added that last-minute adaptations are what they “signed up” for and that the process always includes problem-solving. They noted the festival would not be possible if not for the team members and their resilience.

Spring Fling is traditionally held on the Saturday following the last day of classes.

KAMINI PURUSHOTHAMAN
Kamini Purushothaman covers visual arts and arts in New Haven. A sophomore in Trumbull College, she is double-majoring in History and Archaeological Studies.
GEMARD GUERY
Gemard Guery covers music at Yale. He is a first-year in Davenport College majoring in Global Affairs and History.