A new Auburn tradition may have been born Friday night, but few were on hand to welcome it into the world.
The attendance of the revamped Bodda Getta Bash did not fill the Auburn Arena.
"It's not easy to be that quiet," said Eric Hutchinson, singer/songwriter.
The sparse crowd did not stop both Hutchinson and Gloriana from putting on energetic shows after the homecoming pep rally.
"I'm feeling peppy after that pep rally," Hutchinson said. "I'm very pepped up."
Hutchinson played hard and switched ably between keyboard and guitar.
He drew his biggest audience reaction of the night with a cover of The Backstreet Boys' song "I want it that way."
After his performance a long line of fans waited to meet with Hutchinson, take photos and buy merchandise.
Nicole Hunkeapillar, freshman in applied mathematics, was a newly converted Eric Hutchinson fan and waited in line to get her picture taken.
"I thought it was awesome, and I'm a fan now," Hunkeapillar said. "I'll probably check out his website."
Gloriana brought their brand of hard-charging, Nashville-based country to the stage after a brief intermission.
"I love Gloriana," said Amanda Hurite, junior in industrial engineering. "I'm so excited to see them."
During the course of the show multiple guitar picks and even a drumstick were thrown into the audience.
"Congratulations," said Rachel Reinert of Gloriana. "You're now the owner of an old, beat up piece of wood."
The biggest crowd-pleasers of Gloriana's set were also cover songs.
A medley of John Cougar Melon Camp's "Ain't that America" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." prompted an audience shout along, and Gloriana's final song of the evening, a cover of The Lumineers' "Ho Hey" was also well-received.
This year, for the first time, Bodda Getta Bash was a collaborative effort between UPC and SGA.
UPC organized the concerts, and SGA organized the pep rally that preceded them.
The pep rally included performances and appearances from Auburn cheerleading, Tiger Paws, AU Rhythm, Auburn marching band, Tiger Eyes, Aubie and a speech from Sunny Golloway, head baseball coach.
Golloway spent part of his speech comparing Auburn to the university where he used to coach, Oklahoma University.
"No comparison," Golloway said. "War eagle, this is a lot better."
Golloway praised Auburn's traditions, school spirit and student involvement.
He also said that he was happy to be part of what could prove to be an emerging Auburn tradition, Bodda Getta Bash.
"I'm glad to be part of it," Golloway said.
Golloway did say that while he was aware that the title of the event came from a popular cheer that he was unaware of its origin.
He volunteered his own definition.
"If you're playing us it's a warning," Golloway said. "You're bodda getta outta here."
The arena was not filled with students, but it was filled with sound as the Auburn Marching Band, Eric Hutchinson and Gloriana all provided energetic audio.
Ultimately, both members of UPC and SGA felt the event was a success.
"I think it's been pretty good," said Molly Lawrence, UPC's assistant director of entertainment. "We were expecting a crowd of this size."
Kaitlyn Williams, SGA's director of pep rallies, and Mark Goldsteain, SGA's assistant director of pep rallies, both praised the event.
"I think it turned out great," Williams said.
Williams said that this year's Bodda Getta Bash was an improvement over last year's amphitheater-located event.
"It's really a stepping stone," Williams said. "Especially compared to last year."
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