The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

That’s the ticket

This year’s Springfest acts are a mix of genres and generations. Headliner Dashboard Confessional lends emo flavor to the concert, while hip-hop pioneers Jurassic 5 and masters of ’80s post-punk the Violent Femmes round out the show. Special guest Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys will spin between acts as well.

Although the Council for University Programs (CUP) had initially tried to book big-name acts like Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas, Concert Chair Andy Sellars said he is happy with the way the lineup turned out.

Getting West or the Black Eyed Peas “wasn’t in the cards for us, but I feel proud and so should the Northeastern community,” Sellars said. “We have a concert that may be called ‘all over the place’ but that’s a good thing, because so many genres are represented over a period of 20 years.” He said the group was “too organized” and began planning too early compared with other schools and venues.

“We started planning way too early, way back in October,” Sellars said. “Usually people don’t start trying to book until after the Grammys in the spring.”

The Student Government Association and the Budget Review Committee helped CUP acquire funds, making it possible to organize the four-act concert at Matthews Arena on April 8, Sellars said.

CUP anticipates this year’s concert, as well as the rest of the Springfest week activities, will appeal to a vast audience. Northeastern will be host to artists, events and shows centered around the theme for Springfest 2006: “I Want My NEU,” a play off of the ’80s MTV slogan “I want my MTV!”

“Each of the week’s events borrows its name from a different MTV show, from the network’s beginnings to the present,” according to a CUP release.

Sellars said this show is unique.

“You would never see this combination of acts for only $5 anywhere,” Sellars said. “[Jurassic] 5 is truly a hip-hop pioneer group, the Violent Femmes are a huge icon of previous generations, Dashboard is the leading emo presence and Mix Master Mike is one of the first hip-hop DJs and people are influenced by him to today.”

Despite Sellars’ enthusiasm, freshman accounting major Michael Pytka is unhappy with the lineup, particularly because Kanye West is scheduled to perform at Boston College’s spring concert.

“I think that’s crap,” Pytka said. “It’s kind of upsetting. I know we only have one day in Matthews and that’s inconvenient, but [West] would’ve been good.”

Sellars said the low cost of Springfest tickets is an advantage for Northeastern students, which might not be possible with more well-known acts.

“A lot of concerts put on by BC and BU are produced by ClearChannel, and even though they get great acts, students have to pay those prices, up to $30 and $50,” Sellars said. “Kanye would’ve been good, but we have four great acts for a great price.”

Tickets to BC’s concert, which is open only to the BC community, will cost $20 each.

Despite the conflict over West, some students are looking forward to the concert, specifically the headliner.

“My friend told me who was playing because he was mad about it,” said sophomore marketing and management major Jessica Kaufmann-Fink. “I’m actually really happy about it. … It’s better than Moby, who most people are indifferent to. Dashboard may be emo and whiny, but a lot more people like them.”

The concert will be the culmination of six days filled with celebrity hosts, musical acts, activities and free goods including t-shirts and snap bracelets, a throwback to the ’90s MTV era.

On April 2, “Singled Out” will be hosted by Randy from the Real World San Diego. Northeastern students will play the game at the Curry Student Center (CSC) Ballroom at 7 p.m. The following day, Northeastern’s student bands will have an acoustic show at afterHOURS titled “NEUnplugged” with special guests Steel Train and Augustana.

The week will be rife with MTV when former Northeastern communications major and current TRL Video Jockey Damien Fahey will be speaking about his experiences both at MTV and Northeastern April 4. Other events planned for the week are a “Fashionably Loud” competition, with students submitting their own designs, and a performance by the Sugarhill Gang at afterHOURS April 7.

The next day, Landon from the Real World Philadelphia will be hosting a Northeastern version of “Say What? Karaoke” after the Springfest concert.

Tickets go on sale today and can be purchased at the Matthews Arena box office or through NUPay. For detailed and complete information about the week of Springfest and concert, go to www.springfest.neu.edu.

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