Former University student John West was stoked about his return to campus for his Sept. 3 concert in Free Speech Plaza. But Hurricane Gustav trashed his stage and scattered his audience, postponing West’s show indefinitely. West said he hopes to squeeze into another fall slot, but probably will not play until spring. The Baton Rouge-born singer/songwriter said there are “bigger issues than the John West concert right now,” citing the many people still without electricity in the city.”There was definitely a collective sigh of disappointment from the Baton Rouge community,” West joked, after confessing his professor friends’ plans to bribe students to the concert with extra credit to help him out.West said he had a good time despite the bad weather by going to hurricane parties, visiting his parents and checking out local bands.When he returns in November for a family wedding, West said he wants to bring his music to some spots around town alongside these local acts but still hopes to get the on-campus gig.”If it was my decision, I‘d play every campus in the region,” West said.West describes his laid-back tunes as “soulful, acoustic and sort of jazzy.” A longtime fan of folk music, he is now shifting toward what he jokingly calls “urban emo” — songs like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar.” West said he is fascinated by these “urban tunes with a sort of melancholy edge” and sees his music moving in that direction.The former University student may draw a new crowd of fans at the University during fair weather. But the original date fell under Gustav’s shadow, and many students were neither aware nor concerned.”Dealing with the hurricane is much more important than a concert,” said Lauren Broussard, interior design junior.But even school may pose too big a distraction.”I’ve never seen a concert [in Free Speech Plaza] before,” said Sarah Hairston, mass communication junior. “I don’t know that I would stop because I’d just be on my way to class.”—-Contact Julie Gutierrez at [email protected]