OneRepublic will be the main attraction at Student Government’s Groovin’ on the Grounds concert to be held Saturday, March 26 on the Parade Ground, according to an SG news release.
Hip-hop artist Jay Sean and country artist Steel Magnolia will also perform at the concert, the release said.
The Daylights, an alternative pop/rock trio that tours with OneRepublic, will be one of the opening acts, along with Stone Rabbits, the winner of last semester’s Battle of Bands competition.
“I’m excited about the diversity of genres. It will be appealing to a lot of students,” said SG Vice President Dani Borel.
The concert will begin at 4 p.m. with Stone Rabbits, followed by The Daylights, Steel Magnolia, Jay Sean and OneRepublic to cap the night.
The concerts will be free and open to the public, and alcohol will not be permitted.
Michelle Eldredge, associate director for Campus Life, said SG has contracted the bands, and once they perform, SG will pay about $45,000 for OneRepublic, $40,000 for Jay Sean and $10,000 for Steel Magnolia.
Eldredge said SG does not have to pay The Daylights because the band tours with OneRepublic, and SG cannot pay Stone Rabbits because students comprise the band.
“One thing that’s great is we have an extra band for free,” said SG President J Hudson. “We have five total performances instead of four.”
The total budget for Groovin’ is about $171,000, which comes from several SG funds and outside sponsorships.
Eldredge said the Groovin’ talent budget, which includes performers and agents, was originally budgeted for $110,000, but SG booked talent for only $104,500.
Though it did not affect the performers booked, Khristen Jones, SG assistant director of programming, said Hudson promised last semester to fund $13,000 toward Groovin’ but recently changed his promise to $6,500.
“J promised us a certain amount of money, and we are now receiving less,” Jones said.
Hudson rebutted the claims by saying the Groovin’ budget has a “reserves” account of about $11,000.
“They were never told they would get that funding,” he said.
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]
Groovin’ lineup announced
February 22, 2011