LSU’s annual free concert is moving off campus for the second year in a row, and the newly named “Groovin’” is set for April 17.
Student Government Director of Programming Taylor Stewart said the event would remain free to students and the public. Having the concert at the Baton Rouge River Center Arena is more economical, less of a hassle and more convenient for the artists, she said.
“It’s not a permanent move,” Stewart said. “It can be changed in the future.”
Groovin’ on the Grounds took place on LSU Parade Grounds each year for decades. Last year’s concert, with Weezer as headliner, moved to the River Center as a backup location after rain storms soaked the Parade Ground.
Students complained about the location change last year because of the inconvenience of taking shuttles and finding parking.
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Thousands of Groovin’ on the Grounds participants packed into the Baton Rouge River Center Arena on Friday, March 28, 2014 for Battle of the Bands winner Deacon Jones, Peppe, and Weezer (pictured).
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Weezer lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Deacon Jones’ vocalist and guitarist Winston Triolo (left) and bass player Andrew Pancamo (right) perform Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Deacon Jones’ vocalist and guitarist Winston Triolo sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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A Groovin’ on the Grounds’ participant puts the Weezer hand gesture in the air Friday, March 28, 2014 in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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A Groovin’ on the Grounds’ participant puts the Weezer hand gesture in the air Friday, March 28, 2014 in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Deacon Jones’ bass player Andrew Pancamo (right) performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Deacon Jones’ vocalist and guitarist Winston Triolo sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Deacon Jones’ bass player Andrew Pancamo performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and bass player Bret Bollinger jumps Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and guitarist Bret Bollinger plays Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and bass player Bret Bollinger performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer plays classics at Groovin’ on the Grounds such as “Buddy Holly”, “Beverly Hills” and “Island in the Sun”.
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Pepper’s vocalist and bass player Bret Bollinger performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s drummer Yesod Williams points to the crowd Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and guitarist Kaleo Wassman plays Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and bass player Bret Bollinger sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s vocalist and guitarist Kaleo Wassman sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Pepper’s drummer Yesod Williams celebrates after a song Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Thousands of Groovin’ on the Grounds participants packed into the Baton Rouge River Center Arena on Friday, March 28, 2014 for Battle of the Bands winner Deacon Jones, Pepper (pictured), and Weezer.
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Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson plays Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs a solo Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs a solo Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo points to the crowd Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo walks to the microphone to begin the performance Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s guitarist Brian Bell (left) and drummer Patrick Wilson finish a song Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo sings Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo finishes a song Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s guitarist Brian Bell performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s guitarist Brian Bell plays Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer’s bass guitarist Scott Shriner performs a solo Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Weezer lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo performs a solo Friday, March 28, 2014 during Groovin’ on the Grounds in the Baton Rouge River Center Arena.
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Students on Target member Zachary Dupuis said the River Center will be a safer location for students. A stabbing occurred following a fight between two non-LSU students during the 2013 concert when rappers Yelawolf and Lupe Fiasco performed.
Dupuis also mentioned how stressful it was to find a new location last year when SG learned the weather would be too bad for the outdoor concert.
“I think everyone liked it because it was more of a concert feel,” Dupuis said. “We want to be able to find out how many students go this year. Last year, since it was so last minute, we weren’t able to know how many students there were.”
The River Center was designed for concerts, Stewart said. Holding the concert on campus requires more production costs to get equipment to the parade ground. Also, SG formed a good relationship with the River Center after the last minute move in 2014.
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Michael Wayne Atha, known by his stage name Yelawolf, enters the stage April 14, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, sings while holding her guitar during her solo set April 13, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, jams out during her solo set April 13, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, flips her hair during her solo set April 13, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, sings while holding her guitar during her solo set April 13, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, jams out on the catwalk during her solo set April 13, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Michael Wayne Atha, known by his stage name Yelawolf, enters the stage April 14, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Michael Wayne Atha, known by his stage name Yelawolf, raps while holding the mic stand April 14, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Michael Wayne Atha, known by his stage name Yelawolf, covers his mouth with a bandana April 14, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, raps during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, throws his head back during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, dances on stage during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, raps next to a band member during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, raps during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, drenches the crowd with water during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, flips his hair as he dances on stage during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, leans into the crowd while rapping during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, looks into the crowd during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, leans into the crowd during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, drenches the crowd with water during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Hip hop artist Wasalu Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, holds a flag brought to the show by an audience member during his set April 14, 2013 at Groovin’ on the Grounds on the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Scott Graves, drummer for local funk band Levee Daze, swings his hair around while playing the drums April 13, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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John Trufant, lead singer and guitarist for local funk band Levee Daze, belts a song April 13, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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Andrew Borniak bassist for local funk band Levee Daze, plays a base solo April 13, 2013 during Groovin’ on the Grounds at the LSU Parade Grounds.
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The River Center Arena boasts 10,400 seats, and 1,500 of them are removable, according to its website. The venue also offers eight dressing rooms, two box offices and approximately 30,000 square feet of column free floor space.
Dupuis said Students on Target will give students a chance to win VIP access as a way to promote its philanthropy, Jovial Art, which helps children with no after school programs. Some students received wristbands to access the standing floor area of the River Center last year.
This year, Students on Target, the student government programming committee hosting “Groovin’,” is considering using card swipes for entry.
The Director of Programming determines the location of the event each year, Stewart said. Changing the name of the concert will give the future directors more flexibility in location choices.
“We decided to change the name from Groovin’ on the Grounds to just “Groovin’” because the grounds is associated with the parade grounds,” Stewart said. “Potentially one day it could be in Tiger Stadium, it could be on the parade grounds or at the River Center.”
SG has about $170,000 to $200,000 allotted for Groovin’, but Stewart said the total has not been finalized. About $7 of student fees go to Groovin’ each year.
This year’s lineup will be announced on April 1.
“It turns out having it at the River Center is much cheaper than having it at LSU, and the people at the River Center are handling security, it’s more value for our price and it’s safer for students.”
