Lace up your high-tops and spritz on your favorite perfume — the Campus Program Board’s (CPB) annual Rock the Bluff is just around the corner. On Saturday, March 22, CPB will host opener Verb8im and headliner Del Water Gap at the Crystal Ballroom on West Burnside Street in downtown Portland.
Whether you’re a first-time attendee or an RTB veteran, here’s what you need to know before this year’s event.
Ticket distribution
Ticket distribution for RTB will take place throughout the week of March 17 at Merlo Field’s Box Office. Students must bring their student ID to receive a ticket, which is a wristband that should not be worn until the day of the event, as it cannot be loosened once secured.
Students may also purchase one guest ticket for $10 using a credit or debit card at the box office for non-UP attendees and must provide a picture of the guest’s government ID.
Event details
The concert will begin at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. for those who want to arrive early to secure a prime spot. Free transportation to the Crystal Ballroom will be provided, with the first bus departing Buckley Center at 6:15 p.m. and additional buses leaving every 15 minutes afterward, according to CPB President Chris Dobbins.
The last bus departs the venue halfway through the headliner’s performance.
Students can also use rideshare or drive to the event, entering at the side entrance of the Crystal Ballroom on Burnside Street. However, due to other events in the area, parking and rideshare availability will be limited after the concert, so taking the free bus back is recommended.
To be admitted, all attendees must present their ticket, student ID and a government-issued ID. Bags larger than a clutch or a fanny pack will not be allowed, and there is no re-entry to the concert once attendees depart. Students 21 and older can purchase drinks with a valid government ID during the concert.
Post-concert snacks will be provided while waiting for buses at the end of the night.
Essential preparation: the music
Don’t be the person awkwardly lip-syncing at RTB — get ahead of the game by learning the setlist.
Start by checking out some of Ver8im’s top tracks, like “Colorblind” and “Think of Me,” to prep your vocal cords for the main act. Their blend of smooth vocals and catchy beats is perfect for warming up your dance moves ahead of the show.
And don’t forget to stream Del Water Gap’s biggest hits like “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat” and “Alone Together” on your walk to class, at the gym or hanging out at home. His indie-pop sound has gained him a loyal following — knowing the words will make the experience that much better.
Songs by both artists are available on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, so you have plenty of time to get concert ready.
Julianna Pedone is the News and Managing Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at pedone25@up.edu.
