Internet personality Noel Miller performed at Edwards Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 5 to an audience of about 700 people.
The former software engineer grew an audience on YouTube, starting his journey in late 2015 making commentary comedy videos and the occasional sketch and music videos. His YouTube following consists of 2.66 million subscribers and amounting 308 million in views. Miller’s audience has followed him throughout multiple platforms. This stop at URI marked the end of his international tour, “Everything is F#&ed”.
The 34-year-old comedian focused his set on several aspects of modern life, involving topics of abuse, discrimination, depression and national tragedy among more social-atmosphere related topics.
“This is not at all like my YouTube channel,” said Miller during his set.
The audience did start to pick up on this side of Miller. After the first fifteen minutes of the comedian’s set, the audience began to more verbally respond to the comedian’s material as both parties got more adjusted.
During the entire set, the young comic would riff and call back on audience members working improv into his arranged set.
First-year student Ella Modzelewski has been following the comic for eight years and attended the event.
The show “exceeded expectations” and Miller was “great with engaging with the crowd,” according to Modzelewski.
Deslauriers was pleased with the turnout of the “first special event of the semester”.
This event has been in the planning stages since April 2023, right after the Eric Andre performance, Deslauriers said.
“The planning of the show went by the book,” Deslauriers said.
Despite having their first artist decline a performance, they were able to book Miller in time for preorders. 500 Tickets were sold prior to the event with an additional 200 sold at the door, according to Deslauriers.
“We were very happy with the attendance,” she said. “After COVID, student involvement wasn’t the same.”
On the performance itself, she said, “Other YouTube celebrities haven’t been the best” but was happy to see “Miller connect with the audience”.
This event had to fit the budget granted by the Student Senate with ticket sales going towards talent amenities and paying venue fees and staff, according to Deslauriers. SEC had to work with those considerations in mind while also keeping ticket prices down.
“We love to hear student feedback,” Deslauriers said. “Interaction is very appreciated. We want students to reach out on social media and stay involved.”
Following the SEC’s advice can help increase the quality and turnout of events on campus, according to Deslauriers. Event planning requires lots of student involvement, and an event such as the Noel Miller performance wouldn’t have been the same without it. Input from students is how events are chosen and adjusted .
With such a turnout and audience reception, the event attracted and then entertained many. The next comedian performance coming to Kingston is Seth Meyers on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. in the Ryan Center as a part of Family Weekend. More information can be found on the URI events page or by following @URISEC on Instagram.