By Michael Yu, August 30,2022
Cal Poly Pomona hosted its annual BroncoFusion concert in-person on Aug. 26, 2022, for the first time in two years. Hosted outside the BRIC, BroncoFusion brought live performances and food trucks to the campus to celebrate the beginning of a new academic term.
With nearly 4,000 tickets sold, students were eager for a chance to socialize with their fellow students after COVID-19 changed the way people interacted. ASI President Aliza Ortega shared her thoughts on BroncoFusion returning to campus after its prolonged hiatus.
“I am extremely excited that BroncoFusion is back. I know this is a time where all students are really looking for some type of engagement after the pandemic,” said Ortega. “We were all isolated for a while and were in many difficult situations. A lot of people also had to deal with not being able to socialize. So now, I really think people are going to dive into this event.”
COVID-19 precautions were still in place at the venue due to the potential risk of exposure with such a large assembly of students in one spot. Ortega shared that these precautions included not admitting students not currently enrolled at CPP, and new COVID vending machines at the venue where students could get tested.
BroncoFusion included fiery performances from student artists JustAccounting, Jesse Cruz and the group PRJTDRMRM. The event also featured an energetic performance from rapper-singer Ty Dolla $ign, who performed hit songs like “Fade” and “Ego Death.”
As the minutes until the opening act ticked down, students eagerly waited in the stands for the show to start. Danielle Hernandez, a gender ethnic and multicultural studies student major, shared her hopes for the concert while anticipating the upcoming show with friends.
“My hope is that Ty Dolla $ign brings it with his performance, and we get to have fun and make lasting memories. I am really happy to be here,” said Hernandez.
For business administration major Hayden Tran (JustAccounting), Bronco Fusion was an opportunity for him to tread new waters and perform in front of a large crowd for the first time.
“I’ve never performed before, since I started mixing during COVID in 2020,” said Tran. “But after I started getting comfortable with mixes, I mixed in front of friends a few times, and then I mixed in front of a crowd late spring, which was fun. But it was nothing compared to BroncoFusion. It was a large step up from anything I’ve ever done before.”
During his opening performance, Tran remixed songs such as “Body Back” by Gryffin and “Dynasty” by Elephante. Full of flashing lights and rumbling bass, the vibrant performance set the mood for the rest of the night.
Ortega also shared that the performing artists were chosen based on how attainable they would be, and then narrowed down further by a vote against the top three choices within ASI. From there, ASI gave the top choices an offer, and eventually signed them to the concert.
With performances from JustAccounting, PRJTDRMRM, Ty Dolla $ign and Jesse Cruz that carried the upbeat energy well into the night, Bronco Fusion was a way for students to reconnect and initiate the fall semester.
“The students are there for the community, and they’re going to have fun,” said David Foncello, the ASI vice president. “I am just really excited to see so many students come together and attend an event and just have a good time. I think this is a really good way to kick off the new academic year, and I think it’s going to have a positive reaction from students.”
To stay up to date on future ASI events, the campus community can visit the ASI website.
Feature image courtesy of Michael Yu