Fall Fest 2012: Welcome back with a bang

What better way to start out the fall semester than seeing some of the hottest live music in the country?

This is what FallFest is all about – going back to school with a bang.

Now that the official lineup has been released, students can rejoice and prepare for Monday night’s return of Fallfest.

This year’s lineup has something for just about everyone.

Whether you are looking to dance to the lights and sounds of electronic, mellow out to the best of modern folk/rock or watch the some of the hottest emcees take the stage and captivate the crowd, there is something for you.

Even if your favorite artist isn’t on the bill, the atmosphere alone adds enough excitement to fulfill anyone’s party palate.

Main stage acts are set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Plaza.

Now, what West Virginia University students have been waiting for …

Main Stage

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – 7 p.m.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have a sound that echoes the classics. The band’s self-made 2005 debut album, "Nothing but the Water" revealed a musically sophisticated young band inspired by the music of the late ’60s/early ’70s and fronted by a then-21-year-old dynamo whose nuanced singing, organ playing and song-writing abilities belied her age. If you are a fan of timeless rock and roll that refuses to blend with the trends, this is where it’s at.

Wale – 8:20 p.m.

D.C.-based rapper Wale has transformed himself from local sensation to national rap contender. Using go-go inspired hip-hop as the vehicle for his lyricism and clever wordplay, Wale got his first airplay with "Rhyme of the Century" in 2003. Since then, he has reached No. 1 on the R&B/hip-hop songs chart and has recorded with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Lady Gaga, T-Pain and Kid Cudi.

The Wanted – 9:40 p.m.

The British are coming. Known for their monster hit "Glad You Came," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, The Wanted have stomped all over the typical boy band mold and showcased British pop music to the world. The Wanted – Max, Siva, Jay, Tom and Nathan – conquered England with four authentic Top Five singles and two Number Ones, have been viewed a staggering 30 million times on YouTube and sold 400,000 copies of their self-titled debut album.

Kaskade – 11 p.m.

Despite being called the "new face of electronic dance music" by The New York Times, Ryan Raddon, known as Kaskade, has been in the trenches of the EDM scene as an original recording artist and in-demand disc jockey for more than a decade.

Mountainlair Ballroom

Travis Porter – 10 p.m.

Emcees Ali (Lakeem Mattox), Quez (Donquez Woods), and Strap (Harold Duncan) grew up together in Decatur, Ga., and formed Travis Porter with the hope of taking over the rap world from the underground up. The irreverent crew began to cultivate a strong Internet presence, releasing videos through its YouTube page and then releasing four mixtapes,

Juicy J – 11p.m.

Juicy J (Jordan Houston) played an important role in the South’s rise to prominence within the once East- and West Coast-dominated rap industry along side DJ Paul (Paul Beauregard) with Three 6 Mafia.

Behind the duo’s leadership, Three 6 Mafia rose from an underground phenomenon in Memphis to a nationally recognized rap empire, spinning off numerous solo albums for the collective’s many members in the mid- to late-’90s.

"Kaskade is one of electronic music’s biggest names right now, and his set will not disappoint. The Wanted are one of British pop’s biggest names and their hit single ‘Glad You Came’ has taken over airwaves around the world, said David Ryan, WVU Arts & Entertainment public relations specialist.

"Wale is a hip-hop star with a reputation for incredible wordplay in his lyrics. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have a fantastic sound audiences will be rocking to as the concert opener," added Ryan.

FallFest is free to WVU students with valid WVU student IDs. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. (Please note: the Mountainlair will be closed 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.). A special tent will be set up in front of the Mountainlair beginning at 6:30 p.m. to assist WVU students with ID questions.

WVU students are permitted one guest age 17 or older and must obtain a guest ticket at the tent in front of the Mountainlair. Legal beverages will be available to students 21 and older. Alternative beverages and food will also be available.

Don’t miss the most anticipated part of the fall semester.