Blue and red strobe lights danced across enlivened faces as a steady bass vibrated the surrounding walls. Deep House pulsed out of the speakers and doused prom goers in a sheen of electrified exuberance.

Paper crowns adorned the heads of select seniors, distinguishing them from the rest of the crowd in attendance. The theme this year, We Will Always Be Royals, shown through as photographs were taken on a massive thrown, and mocktails were free flowing.

Prom was in full swing at the top floor of the Wells Fargo Building. Sparkling ball gowns stirred the charged air, and tux jackets were shed as the night continued. Heat radiated from the upper dance floor as the DJ kept energy up and pulsing by featuring a variety of tunes, aimed to please the growing crowd of expectant high-schoolers.

Most notably, DJ Mister Music Man played Pillow Talk by Zayn Malik, and refrained from playing any other One Direction songs. An interesting choice, but perhaps it was a technical decision. Or he had absolutely no interest in the drama of a world famous pop band, and decided to just let Zayn’s crooning voice and erotic undertones be his sole guide in selecting his Music Man playlist.  

Being a frequent party attendee myself, I was delighted to discover that Mister Music Man possessed the ability to play an array of music, and branched out from the typical Tay Tay and Meghan Trainor.  I would say that his single downfall would be the overplaying of Rihanna’s Work: a lively, but repetitive tune. Prom-goers made it a personal challenge to see if they could really “Work, work, work, work, work” x4. The song was played twice in a four hour period and that is just one too many Works.

Nevertheless, MMM (Mister Music Man) made up for the overbearing Works. The room took on the air of a summer festival as MMM totally encaptured himself within the rhythms and melodical movements of his modified playlist. Head adorned with headphones, MMM fiercely felt the music himself – head bobbing and wildly configuring his next tune. His passion radiated out, as song requesters opted to let him do his things and respected his craft by slowly backing away.  

The DJ also expanded some horizons and played some type of house music mix. Obviously my horizon wasn’t expanded incredibly far; I couldn’t tell you exactly what he played at this point. Or perhaps he was creating his own mix, and if that is the case, Kudos to you DJ. Just next time make the drop feel like Kingda Ka (second tallest roller coaster in the world, for those inquiring.)

Prom was bumping from start to finish, and the music stayed steady throughout. Even the dreaded “slow song” was Justin Bieber’s, Love Yourself. MMM may have tried to subtly send a message out out to the high schoolers, but of course none of that can be confirmed.

The patrons of prom who really embraced the, We Will Always Be Royals theme and royally got down on the dance floor will always remember the night as one of hyped up energy, flashing lights and a teeny tiny dance floor. Small dance floor aside, the skyline views of Downtown Raleigh made up for the slightly cramped space and the overuse of Work.

The party probably made the neighbors angry and their momma probably didn’t like the pounding music and mocktail glasses littering the tables, but it was worth it. Wakefield Prom 2k16 will go down in the books, or if you prefer, The Howler online newspaper.