Has Union Board Learned Its Lesson Yet

[Ktulu7]

I saw Nickelback and Default at Tech, and they had HUGE crowds as I remember. The TAC was rockin' for that one. I saw Saliva the next year and even though it was a good performance, I'd say maybe 66 to 75% of the floor was full, and that was it. It's a shame they don't bring in many good bands. However, when I went to LSU, we got NOTHING. They just have this "groovin' on the grounds" bullcrap event every year that just has a few crappy R&B acts no one cares about. The difference is that people down here can go to concerts all the time, so it doesn't matter, but a big concert in Ruston is a rare thing. I say Metallica needs to show up in Ruston and play in the parking lot before or after a football game.

Also, Mitch Hedberg was awesome.

[solo1001]

yeah, lsu has the varsity which every band hits on their way up and its more or less on campus. the floor at the wallflowers concert was bare also but there were some sweet, old, mulletted hairy dudes hanging at the tunnels scoping college chicks which was kind of sweet.

[ajs008]

I was on Union Board from '99-'02. Pricing was a big issue. Bands that everyone would like to see are very expensive. Up and coming bands are affordable but you run the risk of whether or not people heard of them. Also schedule is a big part, is a band touring the region, will they detour from a current tour to play a sop in Ruston. Also, Nickleback has played Tech twice. They opened up for 3 Doors Down. UB got them to headline later due to them playing in Ruston before. They contacted the UB and stated they would do a show and it fit the budget.

[DocMarvin362]

Saw Goo Goo Dolls (very good) and New Radicals (horrid)..

saw Nickelback (very good) and Default (underappreciated... VERY good live)..

saw Stroke 9..

saw 3 doors down..

saw 3 days grace and muddle of pudd..


Why all the hate for Nickelback and 3 Doors Down?? I really like them both.

[solo1001]

i didnt see 3 doors down at tech but saw them here recently. that was the least amount of stage presence I have ever seen from a band and they were the headliner. Boring band live.

[Dawg06]

I was on Union Board from '99-'02. Pricing was a big issue. Bands that everyone would like to see are very expensive. Up and coming bands are affordable but you run the risk of whether or not people heard of them. Also schedule is a big part, is a band touring the region, will they detour from a current tour to play a sop in Ruston. Also, Nickleback has played Tech twice. They opened up for 3 Doors Down. UB got them to headline later due to them playing in Ruston before. They contacted the UB and stated they would do a show and it fit the budget.

True, but since 2004, UB has been receiving an additional $10 per student per quarter to bring in bigger names. The budget is much bigger now. They employ an agent who provides them the available entertainers and prices. All UB has to do is choose who they want. The dates are very flexible. Why hasn't UB ever asked the student body who they want? Because it's about what UB wants.

[bulldawgdude305]

Why hasn't UB ever asked the student body who they want? Because it's about what UB wants.

That's what I'm saying. When they schedule a band, they think it will be a very successful show because they like the band (they all get into bands like the Cool Kids, Ben Folds, and Panic!), but the problem is that the rest of the student body does not. What the need to start doing is sending out surveys or something to get an outside opinion. They do not need to just assume that we will enjoy it because they did that for the last two shows...we saw how that ended up.

[Guisslapp]

Saw Goo Goo Dolls (very good) and New Radicals (horrid)..

saw Nickelback (very good) and Default (underappreciated... VERY good live)..

saw Stroke 9..

saw 3 doors down..

saw 3 days grace and muddle of pudd..


Why all the hate for Nickelback and 3 Doors Down?? I really like them both.

No offense intended, but every band you just listed sucks major donkey balls.

[CChandler]

No offense intended, but every band you just listed sucks major donkey balls.

Surely you have beared witness to the many roastings we have given Doc over the years on the Entertainment board for his music and movie non-savvy. Its part of BBB lore.

Dude hasn't seen Star Wars

[TECH88]

That's what I'm saying. When they schedule a band, they think it will be a very successful show because they like the band (they all get into bands like the Cool Kids, Ben Folds, and Panic!), but the problem is that the rest of the student body does not. What the need to start doing is sending out surveys or something to get an outside opinion. They do not need to just assume that we will enjoy it because they did that for the last two shows...we saw how that ended up.

Its been done before. I remember WAY BACK in '86 or '87 a girl in my class was on the UB and the professor allowed her to pass out surveys to everyone. Whether it did any good or not is up for debate, but I do know that I only attended one concert after that.

IMO, they need do away with concerts and bring back Spring Fling or Beaux Arts.

[Ktulu7]

Hey now, I was at the Nickelback/Default concert. I went just for something to do, and even though I don't like Nickelback, the concert was decently entertaining.. however Default was really great. I don't own either band's music, but those are well-known acts that a LOT of people do happen to like, even if their musical taste is questionable. If the massive majority of Tech students end up liking Britney Spears, they should bring her stupid ass to Ruston, just to get entertainment everyone wants to see, even though I personally would stay in Baton Rouge that evening.

[Guisslapp]

Hey now, I was at the Nickelback/Default concert.

I was at one of the Nickelback shows, too. It is a badge I wear.

[Ktulu7]

I was at one of the Nickelback shows, too. It is a badge I wear.

Do you wear it kinda like a scar (on your soul)? On a somewhat related note, the best concerts I've ever seen were the two Metallica shows at the New Orleans Arena I've been to. They still need to play in the parking lot for a football game in Ruston like they did for an Oakland Raiders playoff game.

[NathanDarby]

We had Run DMC in 98 or so. Damn good show and the side of the TAC roped off for the show was full.

We had Little Texas in 96 or 97 when they were popular and there was a huge turnout. Again, TAC was near full.

Sounds like the UB needs to decide if their job is to draw the biggest crowd they can even if it means getting a more mainstream artist, or prove to everybody how "hip" and knowledgeable of the indie rock scene they are and have 200 people show up.

[CChandler]

How about acts that are past their prime and would come cheap, but would still draw the college crowd.

I"m thinking, oh, I don't know, MC HAMMER.

Don't tell me you wouldn't go! That ish would be crunk.