Jingle Ball twerks into Twin Cities

Graphic by Luke Weisbrod

Featuring artists such as Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Ariana Grande, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, and others are performing at the Xcel Center on Dec. 10 for KDWB’s annual Jingle Ball.

Claire Ilkka

The VMAs took place in Sept., but the music awards show’s most controversial performers- Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus, to be exact- will be in Minn., singing and most likely twerking their way across the stage at KDWB’s Jingle Ball.

The show, which also includes Fall Out Boy, Austin Mahone, Ariana Grande, Enrique Iglesias, Fifth Harmony and Flo Rida, have students buzzing. Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging between $36 and $151. Artists usually perform a four song set comprised of their biggest hits. However, what makes this year’s Jingle Ball special is the appearance of Cyrus and Thicke. Many people are hoping for a repeat of the VMA performance that set the entertainment world on fire earlier this year.

Senior Lauren LeTourneau is a Jingle Ball veteran. This will be her third time attending the concert.

“It’s fun because there is just a lot of teens there and not really any parents,” said LeTourneau. “It’s exciting because there is such a wide variety of artists. It’s really personal compared to other concerts, because the artists are invited.”

KDWB’s Jingle Ball is one of several holiday concerts in the country to have Cyrus performing, but because of how often she has been in the news lately, tickets are in high demand. Junior Julia Scherek is a fan of Cyrus and could not get tickets.

“I want to go to Jingle Ball just to see her, because I find her performances on TV very entertaining and funny,” said Scherek. “But I just couldn’t get tickets this year.”

Because of the variety of artists, there is something for everyone. The artists’ styles range from Fifth Harmony’s bubblegum pop, Flo Rida’s smooth hip hop sound and Fall Out Boy’s pop punk. Senior Rachel Kraus is going for one artist in particular.

“I’m most excited to see Fall Out Boy. I don’t really like all the other artists actually. They’re not as pop as the other artists this year,” said Kraus.

Jingle Ball falls on a Tues. this year, which may stop some students from attending. Not Kraus, however.

“If it was on a Friday or a Saturday, more people would go and there would probably be more trouble stirred up,” said Kraus. “It doesn’t really affect me. I stay up late anyways.”

Like many of her peers, LeTourneau is looking forward to Cyrus’ performance.

“I’m not a fan of her music or her attitude,” said LeTourneau, “but I want to hear ‘Wrecking Ball’ more than any other song.”

Tickets to the concert are available through the KDWB website and Ticketmaster, but few are left. KDWB also gives away tickets multiple times a day for front row and floor seats to the star-studded show.