Shortly after its opening 1972 the PMAC, formerly the LSU Assembly Center, began hosting nearly all of the top acts of its time. Elvis, the Rolling Stones (who played two shows in one day), The Who, Elton John, the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin all graced the arena with their presence.
The inflow of talent didn’t stop in the ‘70s. Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and U2 all paid a visit to the PMAC during the ‘80s. In the ‘90s, acts performing in the arena included Radiohead, Guns N’ Roses, and Garth Brooks. I wish I could say the list goes on, but it doesn’t.
Y2K wasn’t the doomsday some thought it would be, but the new millennium essentially marked the end of an era of great concerts in the PMAC. No disrespect to the artists that have played in the PMAC within the last 17 years, but the quality of acts have disintegrated since the early years of the assembly center. Not only has the quality of acts suffered, but the frequency of performances have come to a screeching halt.
In 2003 and 2010, the demise of concerts in the PMAC was covered by Reveille writers, so it only felt right to fulfill the seven-year cycle and etch my name into the wall of those who whined about former greatness of the arena. However, this time is different: I have a plan that is guaranteed to make the PMAC great again.
Phase one of my plan involves securing the money necessary to book a great act, because, let’s be honest, our University has more fancy trash cans to buy and centrally-located libraries to demolish, so money is tight. Companies such as Raising Cane’s, Shell Oil, Lamar Advertising, and Marucci could donate money or services to help the cause, or another option could be reaching out to Southern University and putting on a concert for both student bodies. If necessary, the remaining funds could be generated by ticket sales.
Phase two is ensuring the PMAC is ready for a concert of significant size. Recently, gymnastics meets have been the only loud, highly attended events in the arena. Attendance records haven’t been released for 2017, but I can confirm that the basketball teams’ games haven’t been loud or highly attended. With that being said, it is important to ensure the arena is ready for tremendous sound and a rowdy crowd. The workforce needed for a concert could be comprised of students — giving students a larger opportunity to find an on-campus job.
Phase three is booking an act, and until the PMAC’s greatness is restored, it is best to stick to acts who won’t scoff at the idea of playing in the PMAC. The first potential acts that come to mind are Baton Rouge natives Lil’ Boosie and Kevin Gates. Once Gates and Boosie prove the PMAC can be great again, artists will be salivating to perform in the PMAC. Until then, we can hope the Student Government booked the act that LSU deserves for Groovin’, Student Government’s annual spring concert that is free and open to the public.
The task of restoring the arena’s greatness is not a difficult one. After all, the PMAC possesses the best acoustics of any large-scale venue in the state. The parking used for athletic events provides more than enough spots for a full-capacity. The student body and surrounding community provide more than enough people to fill all the seats for a great act — and by great act I mean an act with a more recognizable name than Santigold, who headlined Groovin’ 2016.
I know scheduling big names is expensive, but it’s not like those who handle LSU’s finances are frugal by any means, as evidenced by the seemingly constant, unnecessary landscaping projects. Besides, concerts on campus are a smart investment; they brings happiness to students, helps the local economy and serve as great publicity to potential enrollees. The University could ensure the safety of all involved by providing buses and shuttles to concert-goers, similar to the way the night buses keep tired students off the streets after a long night of dancing in Tigerland.
Matthew Hutchins is a 20-year-old petroleum engineering sophomore from Oneonta, AL.