The Student Government Association’s Rage concert could make a comeback this fall.
More than a year after the SGA brought The Avett Brothers and Band of Horses to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, they are looking to create a similar event this year. This time, the concert would be part of a two-day event beginning with a chili cook-off on Oct. 31 and concluding with the concert on Nov. 1. All proceeds from the events will go into the SGA Scholarship Endowment Fund, benefiting students seeking financial aid, which is based on both need and merit.
“We are still in the planning stages,” SGA Executive Press Secretary Meagan Bryant said. “We want to get someone mainstream who can appeal to all audiences to unite the student body.”
Rapper B.o.B and alternative rock band Foster the People are being considered to play at the concert, but the SGA is still seeking student input on additional artists.
“They received many votes on the student survey we conducted in the spring,” Bryant said.
The SGA sold out the April 2011 concert that featured the Avett Brothers and Band of Horses, raising $20,000 for the SGA Scholarship Endowment Fund and bringing in a large crowd of University students and community members. The concert was the debut show at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
Bryant said tickets will be $25 for this fall’s concert, and the SGA expect to raise $20,000 to $30,000.
Even if the bands are not to everyone’s taste, some students said they would attend regardless for a fun weekend event.
David Sikes, a senior majoring in telecommunication and film, attended The Avett Brothers and Band of Horses concert in 2011 and said he would attend another SGA Rage event.
“I enjoyed The Avett Brothers last year,” Sikes said. “I’d be interested in going to another concert at the amphitheater.”
Bryant said they have not decided on a venue yet, but are looking for somewhere close to campus so as many students as possible may attend.
“We have considered the amphitheater again, especially now that the [Crimson Ride] downtown express bus route is available,” Bryant said.
Sikes said he had never heard of B.o.B or Foster the People, but he would be interested in seeing some different music groups.
“I’d like to see Less Than Jake,” Sikes said. “They’re a great concert band for college crowds.”
Leah Johns, a junior majoring in elementary education, said she would probably attend no matter who played at the concert.
“I went to The Avett Brothers concert last year without really knowing much about them,” Johns said. “It had a great student atmosphere, the tickets were cheap, and it was something different to do on your Friday night.”
The SGA is still accepting suggestions of artists to play at the concert. Students may submit their requests to chief of staff Brennan Johnson at [email protected].
