APB having trouble booking bands to perform
By JENNIFER KANNE
The Activities Programming Board is having a tough time bringing big bands to Santa Clara.According to sophomore APB Music Chair Chris Lamons, bringing well-known bands to campus is a monumental task.
Earlier this quarter, Lamons tried to bring the mp3.com tour, featuring the Goo Goo Dolls and Tonic, to Santa Clara. The concert promoters contacted him too late to win SCU administrative approval for the event, which would have featured a festival prior to the show.
"We just didn't have enough time to put it together," Lamons said.
Although Lamons hopes to bring the Goo Goo Dolls to campus this spring, he is worried about the lack of a large venue and poor student support.
APB is allotted approximately $40,000 annually to fund musical entertainment for students. Popular bands such as the Goo Goo Dolls charge about $13,000 for a performance. Lesser-known bands will play for about $2,000 but students do not show up in droves to hear unfamiliar groups.Senior Chad Melton preceded Lamons as the APB Music Chair last year.
Melton agrees that putting on successful shows has been a losing proposition in the past. He sites a lack of school spirit as one of a number of obstacles APB must overcome in order to provide entertainment.
"Even if you were to get a big band, you have to make money from the concert, but APB does not have the funding to pay big bands in the first place," Melton said.
Last spring Melton brought Kerosene Dream to campus only to have about one dozen students attend the show, which took place in California Fresh because Brass Rail was being renovated. Melton questions the administration's decision to set ticket prices at $12 in effort profit off the show.
Lamons voiced additional concerns.
"We don't have a big facility dedicated to concerts," Lamons said.
The new Brass Rail only holds 300 people. Students have suggested holding a show on Bellomy field or on top of the parking structure. Lamons is seriously considering both suggestions."I think students care [about on-campus shows] - I did last year," Lamons said.
APB members agree word of mouth is the most effective advertising method to increase event attendance. Lamons thinks that attendance would not be a problem if students knew about upcoming shows and recognized the names of the bands appearing.
Lamons would like to see at least three smaller shows in Brass Rail this year and one big show with a band like Goo Goo Dolls or Third Eye Blind.
According to Lamons, the relatively small size of the student body is not a deterrent to bands."The bands really do not care about a school's size," Lamons said. "They care about coming out, playing and getting paid."
The tight budget results in fewer options for APB and therefore, fewer options for students seeking an alternative way to spend weekend evenings.
Lamons is planning an Open Mike Night on Oct. 28, and a Karaoke night on Nov. 11. Both will be held in Market Square.