In a move that is both innovative and likely to produce positive results, the Ohio Union Activities Board announced the performing acts for this spring’s Big Free Concert. In addition to bringing in some high-profile artists to entertain Ohio State students for free, the group has added a new twist this year: two stages.
Fans of rock and alternative music can check out one stage featuring Keane and Flogging Molly, while fans of rap and hip-hop can check out the other stage and hear the Roots and Talib Kweli. This, of course, comes in addition to local bands that will kick off the concert.
By bringing in two different genres of music for two different stages, OUAB will successfully avoid the largest problem that has plagued past concerts: polarization. Fans of rock music enjoyed alt-rockers 311 fall quarter 2003, while fans of rap and hip-hop enjoyed Ludacris, Twisted and Wyclef Jean at last year’s Big Free Concert – so much, in fact, that the show became a logistical nightmare and had to be relocated to the Schottenstein Center to accommodate the expected massive influx of people.
The problems with these shows were simple: All the bands appealed to a specific demographic. This was still a problem last fall when OUAB brought Dashboard Confessional and Something Corporate to campus. Despite both bands having strong appeal to college students, fans who were not interested in that genre of music were left behind.
By having two stages – and two headlining bands that appeal to more than one category of fans – OUAB will escape the largest problems that have plagued its previous concert decisions.
The selections of Keane and the Roots as headliners will decrease the chance of alienating fans. Keane bridges the gaps between alternative, pop and contemporary music, while the Roots cross from hip-hop, rap and alternative music. Both bands should appeal to a broad range of people.
The only thing that could bring this year’s Big Free Concert down could be the as-yet unannounced local bands: Specifically, if OUAB decides to bring in Red Wanting Blue.
The Lantern editorial board does have one disappointment about the concert lineup: It is devoid of British glam-rockers the Darkness.
