Headline act Jessie J was upset by the 'drunken trampling' of students at Friday's Trinity Ball, but it's not 'typically Trinity' to be drunk – it's typically Irish, argues TCD student DYLAN HASKINS
‘I WON’T keep you much longer, I hear there’s something happening here later on,” jokes Dr Ashley Clement of the Classics department as he concludes his final Plato lecture of the year. It’s 5pm and we must be one of the last classes in the university. All day between lectures, students have been sitting on the grass making plans for the night over the din of bands sound-checking. Every conversation begins with the same question, “Are you going?”, and then moves on to pre-ball arrangements; where to get ready, which party to go to for pre-drinks, rumours of after-parties.
As we leave our lecture, the university is on lockdown, with ID checks and admission for residents only. The Trinity security guards look like they’re enjoying the excitement.
I’ve never been a fan of clip-on bowties; there’s something ceremonial about tying it the traditional way. I first learned from a video on YouTube about three years ago. The trick is to do it like exactly like a shoe lace. It still takes me several attempts to figure it out though before I jump on the Luas to Ranelagh for pre-drinks at my friend Ross’s house, where people are sitting in the back garden drinking cocktails.
Some of the people at the party aren’t going to the ball but have donned tuxes for the occasion regardless. You might as well. As a steady stream of familiar faces shows up, the excitement is palpable, but I need to leave early to pick up my pass.
There’s not much of a queue when I get to Trinity – that will happen closer to the midnight cut-off point. Inside, Parliament Square has never looked better. The 18th century buildings surrounding the courtyard appear to embrace the occasion, illuminated by ever-changing blue and green spotlights. It’s these touches that transform the austere university of a few hours ago into to the festival site of the Trinity Ball. The transition is much the same for most of the attendees too.
All week, it had been difficult to get a seat in the library as students ran the last distance in a marathon of assignments. The ball is a single, mighty release before we move from Hilary to Trinity term and exam season sets in. For many, it’s the first time they’ve gone out in weeks, and the last until exams are over.
For those new to Trinity, the ball is a rite of passage having finished their daunting first year. For the soon-to-be graduates it is one last stand with old friends. For everyone in between, myself included, it is the ultimate experience that you are a part of 16,000-strong college community, the consolidation of friendships that will last a lifetime and the chance to talk to that person you’ve seen around all year.
This year’s line-up is heavy on British grime-influenced hip-hop artists like Professor Green, Devlin and Katy B, testament perhaps to the popularity of Dizzee Rascal at last year’s ball. There is decent number of Irish acts too, including Fight Like Apes, the Rubberbandits and Bell X1. Backstage, I have a drink with the Minutes and some of Bitches With Wolves as they wait to perform.
Jessie J is sitting on the couch with her band, having just arrived from her appearance on The Late Late Show. She topped the influential BBC Sound of 2011 poll and won the Critics’ Choice Award at this year’s Brit Awards and is one of the most anticipated acts at the ball.
It is no surprise, then, when we walk over to the main stage to see her play at 11.30pm that it’s already packed. After opening her set, the 23-year-old singer remarks that she can see far more girls than guys in the heaving crowd and asks them to be careful not to hurt each other.
Jessie J’s performance and stage presence are convincing, justifying every bit of the hype. Despite this, however, she begins to look unsettled. Brian Spollen from promoters MCD joins security at the front of the audience to watch over and calm things down. Jessie J stops playing to explain to fans that she doesn’t drink, smoke or take drugs and is worried to see them in such a state. Many are quick to criticise her “moral high horse” and self-righteousness, but I think her concern is genuine. In past interviews the singer has spoken about her clean living. Having been diagnosed with an irregular heart beat at 11 and suffering a minor stroke at 18, it’s understandable that she would react in such a manner to any kind of disregard for health and body.
THERE IS NOTHING NEW about the “pushy crowd” though – I was in the middle of one when Dizzee Rascal played last year’s ball, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant. But I’ve also been at concerts in the 02 that were just the same. Having not yet done the summer festival circuit and with UK ball season not beginning until next month, it was apparent that the experience was a new and uncomfortable one for Jessie J.
As her band plays out the last song, she leaves the stage immediately and shortly afterwards tweets: “Just came off stage at Trinity Ball. Probably one of the hardest gigs to date. To see so many people so drunk they couldn’t even stand. Girls unconcious and them literally trampling on each other.”
This sparks something of a Twitter storm. Responses from some of those in the crowd accuse Jessie of being ungrateful. She elaborates: “Im not upset they weren’t all listening it upset me to see so many young people so not with it. Not used to it. Its hard to sing when I just wanted to go in the crowd and help all the crying girls being squashed. I was just shocked at how intoxicated they were and I was genuinely worried for them. Im not used to it thats all. And its not just in Ireland its everywhere. As a non drinker. I just wanna spread the msg that binge drinking is dangerous.”
That students were drunk at Trinity Ball will be of no surprise to most. Indeed, that people are drunk at any kind of ball or large party in Ireland is hardly shocking.
Many on Twitter were quick to criticise the behaviour of Trinity students the following day with one person writing “typical Trinity students making a show of themselves at the ball”.
But there’s nothing typically Trinity about being drunk. It’s typically Irish.
I’ve always been uncomfortable with the association we grant between alcohol and having a good time. Yes, it’s fun being drunk, but all of the best times I’ve had have been sober ones, when I’m fully aware of just how great the moment is.
However, if there is one event in the year where a Trinity student could be permitted to be drunk, it’s probably the Trinity Ball. If some people go too far, they are the exception rather than the rule. They’ll be carried home on the arm of a friend and probably know better next time. In the 52 years of the ball this has always been the story and probably always will.
The night in a nutshell
Europe's largest private party – in its 52nd year – showed again over the weekend that it is the highlight of the student calendar, combining tradition and modernity in a carefully honed operation. Marquees, tented stages, food stalls and bars transform the grounds, with some concessions made to the surroundings, namely precautions taken not to damage Trinity's ancient trees.
With 7,000 students, international performers, guests and a highly visible and friendly security presence, the event remains a ball only in name and dress code. Tuxedos, gowns and cocktail dresses are the norm. Spotting first-timers is easy – they are the ones wearing not exactly cobblestone-friendly heels.
Ultimately, the Trinity Ball is a miniature late-night festival – with all the revelry that brings.
At 10pm, the first acts took to the stage, as the crowds streamed in before the gates closed at midnight. Promoters MCD were hired to manage the event in 2005, and they ensure a high-profile line-up each year.
Twenty-six acts including Bell X1, The Streets, Professor Green and Simian Mobile Disco all played brilliant sets across five stages. There were no outrageous backstage requests, although London rapper Chipmunk asked for a bottle of Amaretto before he went on stage.
At 4.45am, Limerick hip hop duo the Rubberbandits closed the main stage. There may have been no horses outside Trinity's gates, but the taxi drivers on College Green were more than pleased with some early morning fares.
Una Mullally
A ball in tweets
@NiallMorris Trinity looking swish – looking forward to another
@Alexmetric Dublin has been and is excellent fun tonight xx
@Megaroooo Oh my God, the new provost of Trinity is an actual and amazing ride. DREAM SCORE.
@chipmunk Ripped up the show in Dublin ...Time to find the after party
@Rubberbandits Want to give 10/10 on the mad laugh graph to the crowd at Trinity Ball last night. Booze, yokes and shifting ...Big shower of ravers
@cazlou1980 It appears that those at Trinity Ball made a holy show of our beautiful city/country. Very disappointed :(
@leamscottbyrne Typical Trinity heads makin a show of themselves at the Trinity Ball . . . proof that daddy can’t buy you cop on in Trinity College
