On Saturday, popular country artist Zach Bryan performed at Tiger Stadium. The event proved to be a major success, with about 70,000 attendees and a solid jolt to the local economy.
However, one of the night’s biggest successes was the incredible student turnout and energy it brought to campus. While specific stats on student turnout haven’t been published, I’ve seen dozens of clips showing that the atmosphere was truly electric for all involved.
This shows something that I think is an incredibly significant part of culture at LSU, an aspect that often goes underappreciated and one that I’m glad the university is taking a deeper interest in: music.
Music is the lifeblood of Louisiana. Almost every popular music genre has a root in Louisiana in one way or another.
The university, no doubt appreciating this fact, maintains a premier music department. However, music hasn’t always been as integrated into student life at LSU as I believe it should be.
Recently, I happened to be in the library, killing some time between my classes. Spontaneously, I heard an orchestra spring up, and it played a short suite of classical pieces. It was a small event, but it certainly stuck with me and brightened my day.
This pop-up concept should be expanded around campus. Maybe once a week in the center of the Quad or Free Speech Alley, there can be a small jazz performance, like the street concerts dotted all over New Orleans.
Of course, when discussing campus music, discussion must come back around to the legendary glory days of the PMAC. The PMAC used to be one of the prime concert venues in the city, with some of the most famous performers in the world gracing its stage. While it may not be able to support the blockbuster tour of a megastar, it’s comparable in size to the Cajundome in Lafayette, which has maintained its status as a primary concert site in the region.
Beyond even supporting shows from nationally touring performers, the PMAC could eventually become a core music hub for the city. Local acts would be massively aided with the exposure to a college crowd the PMAC provides. As most of the major sporting events held in the PMAC are gradually transitioned to the planned new stadium, the PMAC has the opportunity to gracefully age into a historic venue central to the music scene of Baton Rouge.
Even just a few more flyers or emails would go a long way toward bringing music closer to the hearts and everyday experiences of LSU students. There is a thriving world of music on campus already, but unless you make an effort to really seek it, it’s easy to miss.
I regularly check the lampposts to see what’s going on in local music, and a couple of flyers placed around high traffic areas would do much to inform the public. Furthermore, a monthly newsletter sent out to all students giving a basic outline of events on campus would also significantly boost all arts programs.
I appreciate the effort LSU is making towards enhancing public attention towards and support for its music programs. Hopefully one day music can be as much a part of the campus as its stately oaks.
Gordon Crawford is a 20-year-old political science major from Gonzales, La.
