Austin Peay’s Peayle’s Concert returns with Waka Flocka Flame and Boosie Badazz

Last September, Austin Peay State University students filled F&M Bank Arena as Moneybagg Yo performed for the inaugural Peayple’s Concert.

This year, the arena will once again be filled as APSU’s Peayple’s Concert is returning for the second year, this time with headliners Waka Flocka Flame and Boosie Badazz on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.

Ashley Kautz, director of student life and engagement at APSU, provided insight on why the university began Peayple’s Concert and how student involvement

‘A fun and meaningful way to engage’

Last year, Austin Peay surprised its students and the local community when it announced a concert at F&M Bank Arena with rapper Moneybagg Yo as a headliner.

The Memphis rapper, known for his songs “Me V. Me,” “Said Sum,” and “Time Today,” gave students a unforgettable night.

The Peayple’s Concert wasn’t the first concert the university held, but it was the first one in a while, and the first at F&M Bank Arena.

The idea for a concert emerged as a way to provide fun and affordable entertainment while engaging meaningfully with its students.

“We believe music has the power to bring people together, and we wanted to create a unique, shared experience that reflects the spirit of campus life,” said Kautz.

Feedback from students, alumni and staff showed the event did just that.

For students, the event was a high-energy event for their fall semester, with some describing it as the highlight of their semester.

Alumni and long-time staff said it felt like a meaningful return to tradition, reminding them of when APSU’s Homecoming featured a concert.

With the event considered a success, planning for this year began almost immediately after.

Conversations about what artists students wanted to see and by the beginning of 2025, Student Affairs was working with F&M Bank Arena to reach out to potential artists and make the concert a reality.

Waka Flocka Flame, known for hits like “No Hands,” “Hard in Da Paint,” and “Grove St. Party” and Louisiana rap icon Boosie Badazz, known for his hits “Wipe Me Down” and “Set It Off,” were two names that kept coming up.

“This year’s headliners were chosen based on direct feedback from students,” Kautz said. “Our goal was to bring in artists that our students genuinely wanted to see, and their voices played a major role in the final selection.”

Along with new headliners, this year will involve new student involvement.

After the doors open, a DJ performance will welcome concert-goers to the night of fun and live music. That DJ performance will include a special set by the winner of APSU’s Battle @ Browning student DJ competition.

“Students are at the heart of every decision we make for the Peayple’s Concert,” Kautz said. “From offering discounted tickets for both students and their guests, to involving them directly in the event itself, we aim to create an experience that reflects their interests and strengthens campus connection.”

Doors at F&M Bank Arena will open at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26.

At 6:30 p.m., DJ performances will begin and Boosie Badazz will hit the stage at 7:45, followed by Waka Flocka Flame at 9 p.m.

Tickets on sale

Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster starting at $20 for students and $30 for the general public.

Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. Story ideas and tips are always welcome and can be sent to [email protected] or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Built by students, for students: Peayple’s Concert Returns to APSU