Starfields Preview Freshers 2015

Big changes have come to Starfields, the biggest event of Freshers week, in 2015. SF has moved from its traditional slot on the last Saturday of Freshers to Thursday, September 10th this year. And for those who often find the event lacking due to its earlier than normal hours, SF will be running until midnight this year.

For those early birds who snatched the reduced-price tickets on August 11th, you’re in for a treat. When the 2014 Early Bird tickets sold out in 20 minutes, it was obvious that this was a high-priority event on the Freshers checklist. So be sure to head to the Fixr app, whom SF has partnered with this year, and buy your ticket while you still can.

In the past, Starfields has been known for its atmosphere and size. This year, it’s clear that SF is stepping up their game. The quality of acts this year is unmatched in Freshers, and the vibes of the evening will be geared towards the house/music festival feel. To headline, the committee has signed Klingande, the artist who made Jubel, for those who are unfamiliar. This is by far the biggest act Starfields has ever had. Jubel topped the charts in 17 countries and has over 115 million views on Youtube. The next big performer Starfields is welcoming to the stage is Alex Adair, producer of the hit single Make Me Feel Better. Continuing acts in the lineup are being released leading up to the event, including Lexer,from the Berlin Deep House scene. These are all performances that you do not want to miss.

This year, Starfields will be partnering with SANE Mental Health Charity, a UK charity that works to remove the stigma so often associated with mental illness, whilst providing care and support for those affected by mental illness. The new committee this year felt very passionate about working with an issue that affects both our local community and young people. Mental health is a prevalent issue everywhere you turn, and in utilising the size and reach of FS, this partnership can have a really positive impact by shedding light on mental health issues and removing the stigma that is so often associated with them. While SF has many new initiatives this year, including the new day, new theme, and new design, a critically important mission that you’ll see play out this year is that charity will be closely tied to everything.

Thanks to Starfields’ successes in the past, SF can look forward to the continued support of returning St Andrews students. However, the roughly 1,500 incoming freshers likely don’t know what SF is, or how it differs from other Freshers Week events. If you like good music, supporting great causes, and you really want to kick off the next year in St Andrews, Starfields is the way to go. If you want a few more reasons to join the 2,200 students at this year’s event, enjoy high quality musical acts, and a phenomenal atmosphere, be sure to check out the promotional video that shows why Starfields is hands down the go-to event of Freshers Week.

For more information on SANE Metal Health Charity, check out their website at http://www.sane.org.uk/

Check out the promo videos at https://vimeo.com/135937129

All photographers courtesy of the SF photography team Bettie Payne, Omar Ali, Gala Netylko, Ekin Arslan and Katya Clark.