MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: mu_hilltopper on October 03, 2019, 11:00:38 AM
-
Last year we went to my wife's reunion and did the Homecoming concert that was on the Central Mall.
It was a nice show, maybe 5000 people, although that's a wild guess. Maybe half students, half alumni. I recall thinking .. this would be a doable concert to bring kids to.
Fast forward .. the homecoming concert this year is this Saturday at the Fiserv.
Anyone have an idea .. if there's ~5000 people? How will they stage the Fiserv with that few people, maybe stick the stage facing an end-zone?
Anyhow .. we've got the free tickets and are intending to bring our kids. Should be an easy concert for them to see, not too insane.
-
Didn't realize they got Alessia Cara. T-Pain and Alessia Cara in back to back nights is some quality grabs by Marquette event planning.
-
Didn't realize they got Alessia Cara. T-Pain and Alessia Cara in back to back nights is some quality grabs by Marquette event planning.
as an alumnus having graduated over 20 years ago am I supposed to know who these people are?
-
as an alumnus having graduated over 20 years ago am I supposed to know who these people are?
::)
Sorry they couldn't get get New Kids on the Block and Natalie Merchant to appeal to your sensibilities.
Seriously, its perfectly fine to not stay up to date with current popular music, but constantly needing to drop in with "Who the hell are these people" in a discussion of concerts aimed to appeal to people 20 years younger than you is beyond tired and lame. Stick to State Fair lineups to chase the music of yesteryear.
-
::)
Sorry they couldn't get get New Kids on the Block and Natalie Merchant to appeal to your sensibilities.
Seriously, its perfectly fine to not stay up to date with current popular music, but constantly needing to drop in with "Who the hell are these people" in a discussion of concerts to appeal to people 20 years younger than you is beyond tired and lame. Stick to State Fair lineups to chase the music of yesteryear.
Everyone after Bach was garbage!
-
Everyone after Bach was garbage!
I stopped listening when it got past banging mammoth thighs on the rib cage and cave walls while grunting
-
::)
Sorry they couldn't get get New Kids on the Block and Natalie Merchant to appeal to your sensibilities.
Seriously, its perfectly fine to not stay up to date with current popular music, but constantly needing to drop in with "Who the hell are these people" in a discussion of concerts aimed to appeal to people 20 years younger than you is beyond tired and lame. Stick to State Fair lineups to chase the music of yesteryear.
Shouldnt a homecoming concert cater to older people? The "state fair" crowd?
-
Shouldnt a homecoming concert cater to older people? The "state fair" crowd?
I think it depends what exactly they are trying to do with homecoming. My guess is that it is geared to younger alumni and students.
-
Sew, da Mamas and Papas den, hey?
-
Sew, da Mamas and Papas den, hey?
Only one Mama left.
-
So, I don't get the fevo tickets. I got an email that says I need the Bucks app, creating another account, and all the links in the message are bad.
I thought there would be a will call table, but I never received an email confirming I registered until this fevo email.
Lovelytheband is terrible. ND terrible.
-
I stopped listening when it got past banging mammoth thighs on the rib cage and cave walls while grunting
But only their early stuff
-
But only their early stuff
The later stuff is so derivative.
-
I'm not going to say more but I think they missed the mark this year. It's not so much about any individual artist. It's about having a broad enough appeal to interest a wide audience demographic at Homecoming/Reunion.
I will say that they finally took my advice about an indoor venue after flirting with very questionable weather the last couple years. Two years ago it was an absolute deluge at 5p. That almost wiped out a big ticket event. Outdoors in October is playing with fire given the dollars in play.
All in all the concert series has been a big success with outstanding artists that have truly appreciated and respected their Marquette opportunity. This idea may have hatched some years back when the Class of '88 organized (mostly on their own) a BoDeans performance at the Varsity that was very well attended for what was their 25th.
-
I'm not going to say more but I think they missed the mark this year. It's not so much about any individual artist. It's about having a broad enough appeal to interest a wide audience demographic at Homecoming/Reunion.
I'm not being combative cause your take is reasonable, but who would you suggest? Alessia Cara has had 4-5 top 20 singles so shes well known and popular with anyone up to date with music/radio, has a very healthy younger (sub 18) following due to her age and the fact that she did the single from Moana, so the option for parents to bring kids is there. And shes modern and contemporary, so that ticks the current students and recent grads box.
Someone like the BoDeans says "this is for our 40+ crowd". Like it or not, your best chance with these things is to target the younger students/alumni crowd, and hope you gather enough of the older alumni that keep up with recent music
-
Yeah I think that nails what they are thinking Wags. They want a younger crowd bringing energy to the event and not a bunch of older people (like myself) who would be nice and sensible listening to "Closer to Free" for the 800th time.
-
I'm good with the bands. I've heard their songs. My son likes a few of the "lovelytheband" tunes, so when they were announced, we knew he'd like going.
Look .. MU is not going to book Tier 1 talent, it's way too expensive. So you can either get current Tier 2 .. or a 10+ year old band that aged well, but doesn't interest the under 25 set so much.
It's fine.
-
JWags, you may be right. I agree with you that they have made the decision to skew to a young demographic. I'm not questioning her talent or accomplishments. I had thought they hit a pretty perfect sweet spot last year with AAR. I will tell you that Reunion Committees (I'm on mine) are not part of the selection process although we do get advance notice prior to the public announcement. We'll see how attendance is this year. More power to them if it works.
-
So, is anyone going this weekend?
-
Should've paid the black keys and modest mouse to stick in MKE an extra night and play a show for MU.
-
So how has the reunion weekend switch from July to October going? I think that determines the band (young or old) choice.
My last reunion year was I think the last July event and people were just doing their own thing. The offsite class party was embarrassing. Saturday night had a multi-class open-air party with a band outside the Union...right after the afternoon block party. It felt like two of the same.
I like the new effort but don't like the timing. But I think it works better overall as the most attended classes are the most recent. And you can combine with the current students.
Let's face it, us old farts just want to go to Caff's and attempt to reclaim past glory at the pool table anyway, eating stale popcorn and swilling some Cow.
-
as an alumnus having graduated over 20 years ago am I supposed to know who these people are?
T-Pain was at his peak 10+ years ago now, so you should probably know who he is.
-
So how has the reunion weekend switch from July to October going? I think that determines the band (young or old) choice.
My last reunion year was I think the last July event and people were just doing their own thing. The offsite class party was embarrassing. Saturday night had a multi-class open-air party with a band outside the Union...right after the afternoon block party. It felt like two of the same.
I like the new effort but don't like the timing. But I think it works better overall as the most attended classes are the most recent. And you can combine with the current students.
Let's face it, us old farts just want to go to Caff's and attempt to reclaim past glory at the pool table anyway, eating stale popcorn and swilling some Cow.
The October date attracts a different crowd. No doubt folks with school aged kids at home are less able to attend but it is nice to mix with current students. I have been told in official meetings that it has been a net positive for the fundraising effort but there is no doubt that the university has put in big money to make it a signature Fall event.
Since the switch to Fall, the weekend culminates with a true major concert. First up was American Authors and Rachel Platten. In '17, Fitz and the Tantrums with AJR. Last year, All-American Rejects headlined with Ella Mai although she was replaced at the last minute by an excellent young artist that I'm not recalling.
One thing they are doing a better job of is encouraging non-reunion alumni to attend. It absolutely doesn't have to be 'your' year. We've been to 3 or 4 in a row including this weekend when Chick's class is on the clock. The concert is a big part of that Saturday night draw.
-
Only one Mama left.
Ham sammich.
Never would have happened with a beef n cheddaaaah
-
The October date attracts a different crowd. No doubt folks with school aged kids at home are less able to attend but it is nice to mix with current students. I have been told in official meetings that it has been a net positive for the fundraising effort but there is no doubt that the university has put in big money to make it a signature Fall event.
Since the switch to Fall, the weekend culminates with a true major concert. First up was American Authors and Rachel Platten. In '17, Fitz and the Tantrums with AJR. Last year, All-American Rejects headlined with Ella Mai although she was replaced at the last minute by an excellent young artist that I'm not recalling.
One thing they are doing a better job of is encouraging non-reunion alumni to attend. It absolutely doesn't have to be 'your' year. We've been to 3 or 4 in a row including this weekend when Chick's class is on the clock. The concert is a big part of that Saturday night draw.
Thanks. It sounds like it is a net positive. Now, can we work on getting an Alumni House?
-
Thanks. It sounds like it is a net positive. Now, can we work on getting an Alumni House?
I'd imagine that could be a moneymaker for the university. Even if it was a floor or two of a dorm a spot alumni could rent out on a whim would be legit.
-
Just got back from the concert .. very very well done, Marquette. Great to have it inside the Fiserv, would have been wet tonight outside.
I'd guess 5000 people were there, likely 70% students .. frankly, this was a great concert, and more MU alums should go each year. It's a free, high production value concert that's perfect for families. We'll def get tickets next year, might even rope in some other families.
Lovelytheband was the clear winner, should have been the "main" act.
-
Just got back from the concert .. very very well done, Marquette. Great to have it inside the Fiserv, would have been wet tonight outside.
I'd guess 5000 people were there, likely 70% students .. frankly, this was a great concert, and more MU alums should go each year. It's a free, high production value concert that's perfect for families. We'll def get tickets next year, might even rope in some other families.
Lovelytheband was the clear winner, should have been the "main" act.
It was well done and I was very surprised how good the acoustics were in the Fiserv for a 'limited audience' show. The entire upper deck was curtained. Somehow the place even felt 'intimate'.
So topper, I believe you're a bit high on your numbers. Remember that the bottom holds about 10k before you completely eliminate 1/3 of that with the stage at the east end. So let's say there were 7k seats available, plus the floor. I'd estimate that there were about 2k on the floor plus another 1.5k in the seats for about 3,500 total. Still, not bad and not something that could be replicated on campus. I'm told that the Al was never designed to host concerts. Note that there is no rigging for the necessary light/sound superstructure required for a major concert. Shame on Marquette for not incorporating that in the original design but those decisions were made long ago. Kudos to the university for putting in an appropriate video board, something else I've complained about for years but that's another thread!
I thought the show was 'fine'. And let me first state that I have no idea what Marquette's budget is for this event and if that changed in the last year. It is entirely possible that they made an active decision to cut the budget or, alternatively, had to write a meaningful check to the Bucks to get access to the venue. I do not know if MU has a series of 'cheap access' nights written in their existing contract. So it is entirely possible that some percentage of the existing budget had to be diverted to the venue. Anyway, thank God they did. I argued publicly for years that October outdoors was too risky. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who did. Saturday would have been a washout.
As to the artists, lovelytheband was perfectly acceptable. They've got one or two hits and their 45 minute set was decent. It was clear that they had played somewhat regularly on the 'college tour' circuit as they said the usual things to the student body audience that comprised about 80% of those in attendance. Alessia Cara is an exceptionally talented young artist with a very bright future ahead of her although I sincerely believe that her musical style was not a perfect fit for a raucous Homecoming celebration and thus was somewhat miscast in this role. But she got an A+ for effort in what was undoubtedly one of her very first headlining performances. I can absolutely respect any artist that faithfully honors their contract and performs for 75 minutes when she, too, is used to a 45 minute set, max. She worked hard to give a 100% effort and seemed genuinely pleased to be given the opportunity.
So kudos to Marquette. The show went off without any major hitches and the students in attendance had a great time. And I always appreciate and enjoy when Marquette commits itself to live musical performances. The fact that a band doesn't play on campus at 4p every Friday afternoon is one thing today's students miss out on.
-
As to the artists, lovelytheband was perfectly acceptable. They've got one or two hits and their 45 minute set was decent. It was clear that they had played somewhat regularly on the 'college tour' circuit as they said the usual things to the student body audience that comprised about 80% of those in attendance. Alessia Cara is an exceptionally talented young artist with a very bright future ahead of her although I sincerely believe that her musical style was not a perfect fit for a raucous Homecoming celebration and thus was somewhat miscast in this role. But she got an A+ for effort in what was undoubtedly one of her very first headlining performances. I can absolutely respect any artist that faithfully honors their contract and performs for 75 minutes when she, too, is used to a 45 minute set, max. She worked hard to give a 100% effort and seemed genuinely pleased to be given the opportunity.
So kudos to Marquette. The show went off without any major hitches and the students in attendance had a great time. And I always appreciate and enjoy when Marquette commits itself to live musical performances. The fact that a band doesn't play on campus at 4p every Friday afternoon is one thing today's students miss out on.
Thanks for the review. Good feedback. Alessia Cara is a unique artist. You're a bit off. She did a headlining tour for her first album a few years back, and she's in the midst of a second headlining tour for her second album. So she's not completely new to the position. Interestingly, she's picked up a Grammy and she's been the supporting act for Coldplay and supported Shawn Mendes on an arena tour this year. Thats a pretty legit resume for 22-23, But through all that, her career is kind of building slowly, which is why Marquette was able to get her for something like this. She's not quite an arena headliner yet. But I honestly think thats probably good management from her people.
But I totally agree she's probably not the right genre or vibe for something like that. When I was in college, I remember 2 back to back HC acts. One was an indie band that was super popular, couple hit singles, but more of a folky vibe. I was shocked they got them for the concert given their recent success. Concert had decent attendance, and a muted vibe. The next year, they got a pop punk band who hadn't been popular for a few years, but had been pretty big 5 years prior when we had been in HS. Place was packed and raucous. Funny how that works.
-
Yeah .. my guess of 5,000 was a .. gentleman's 5,000.
It feels like .. a concert like this needs to spread by word of mouth. I can think of many MU families who would absolutely bring their kids to this.
We will certainly go next year, if the bands are remotely known.
-
Yeah .. my guess of 5,000 was a .. gentleman's 5,000.
It feels like .. a concert like this needs to spread by word of mouth. I can think of many MU families who would absolutely bring their kids to this.
We will certainly go next year, if the bands are remotely known.
Topper, you shoulda been at AAR last year. Great, great show by Marquette standards. And 'old enough' that they appealed to the alums while still being quite relevant for the students. I thought they were the perfect fit.
-
Topper, you shoulda been at AAR last year. Great, great show by Marquette standards. And 'old enough' that they appealed to the alums while still being quite relevant for the students. I thought they were the perfect fit.
We were at AAR last year .. my wife's year.