The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Live Local Music

Movin’ On’s Musical Acts

Posted by Alexandra Voigt on 04/20 at 11:57 AM

With less than two weeks left of class, the spring semester is already drawing to its close…meaning: summer and the countless, glorious amounts of music and art festivals!  One of these is happening right on campus!  On the very last day of classes—Friday, April 29—Penn State will host its very own day-long music festival, Movin’ On, entirely free for all to attend.
 
Since 1974, Penn State students have come together to organize and implement a fun, thriving outdoor festival to congratulate the soon-to-be graduates and the everyday hard-working college students who need a surge of energy and life before the looming week of final exams takes off.

This year, the students have booked four mainstream artists and four local student bands to perform on the IM fields across Park Avenue. Kicking off the day at 3:30pm will be a progressive rock and jazz enthused student band, The Good News, followed by the local and talented reggae fusion band, Atlas Soundtrack, at 4pm.  The acoustic folk/rock Zak Sobel Band plays third, and the final student act is the pop/rock group, 5 Cherry Lewis, who previously performed at THON.

The fourth, paid headlining act that was only just revealed to the public on Tuesday, April 19, is the husband and wife duet, Mates of State.  Currently in the process of finishing up their seventh studio album (entirely original material, as opposed to their last “tribute cover” album) they are sure to ignite the audience with new and unheard indie/pop singles.

For the first time ever, Movin’ On will also be presenting the town with a country act. Called Little Big Town, they are known for their four-part vocal harmonies.  Then, to weave in a set break for the artists, DJ Supernova will mix for a 30-minute show, molding the groove for the highly anticipated Lupe Fiasco. DJ Supernova will spin again for a second 30-minute session to announce the headliner, OAR.

Throughout the semester, the core students on the committee for Movin’ On have sought the students’ feedback in polls and online surveys in order to narrow down what styles and genres of artists to book. Inevitably, the majority of the student population was not too thrilled to hear about the headlining acts.  I, being one of the core committee members—a PR captain—have really had enough with all of the negative side comments from the “peanut gallery.” 

Booking and signing artists for a music festival is not a piece of cake.  Not only does it take a lot of research and funds, but it takes time, and it certainly takes negotiating.  If people really think that Penn State can get Dave Matthews to headline a free festival for college students—an artist who is normally booked for millions of dollars—they are extremely naïve.

The underside of the music industry is full of tricks and short cuts and connections.  In a follow-up article, I will delve into the process of signing contracts and negotiating with managers and bands. Maybe, just maybe, the students will better grasp the notion of why a student-organized club cannot always present everyone with his or her favorite musician.