Spark Experience 2022

Elizabeth
Another great year of Spark has been added to the books! Spark was initially made to give the UIC community a free concert experience with some up and coming artists of that year. As each year has passed, the scale of Spark has only gotten better and better and it’s amazing to see the progression it has made in the last 11 years. If you were not able to see Spark this year, we hope that this short recap will help you live this experience through words.

From my experience attending Spark in 2019 and 2021, it was an amazing time overall. Due to the weather, I was able to experience both the indoor and outdoor experience of Spark. But of course, the best is when it is outside. When Spark is outside, the concert feels like a true music festival! With vendors, lounge tents, and multiple photo areas makes the whole experience a lot better. But, enough about my experience, this is about Alicia’s experience at this year's Spark.

Alicia
Last year, my first ever spark was at the Credit Union Arena, which like what Elizabeth mentioned genuinely did not encapsulate what Spark is. This year, walking into Harrison Park was unrecognizable with the flashing stream of red, blue, and gold. The large, vibrant crowds gathered around the twinkling SPARK lights fortheir photo ops. The aroma of freshly fried burritos welcomed me as the food trucks were lined up at the back end of the field.

Many people lined up hours before doors opened to get a glimpse of PARTYNEXTDOOR with signs ready at hand. The barricade waspacked with crowds pushed all the way back to the middle of the field. Waiting for anticipation, Princess Nokia got everyone ready with her hit single “I Like Him.” Fans even got to talk to her as she jumped into the crowd. When the sunset, DJ Midnight and Sparky set the night's tone with party anthem hits. I had never seen barricades bend like they did when everyone was moshing. Once the fog machine was coming to full action, moody blue lights hit the audience, and “Yebba’s Heartbreak” played, pure silence with anticipation for her PARTYNEXTDOOR. He sang almost everything from his discography. Everyone was out there singing to the top of their lungs and dancing with their fellow Flames. You had to be there to experience it fully. Spark really outdid itself, and I can’t wait for next year!