During the first week of the semester, students expect to hear the usual clatter of construction and freshman voices asking for directions to class. But those near the Parade Ground tonight will treat their ears to the sounds of an indie rock show courtesy of the University’s Student Activity Board.
SAB’s Back to School Bash will kick off tonight at 7 and will feature performances by indie artists GIVERS and Wolves, Where?
“Live music brings large groups of people to campus,” said SAB Music Committee Chair Tiffany Michel.  “Whether it’s indie music or an African drum circle, you’re going to attract a very diverse group of people on campus, and that’s what we’re all about. ”
Michel and other SAB members created an online poll during preparations for the event, allowing students to vote on favorite genres and choose the artists headlining the show. But the bands chosen for the event weren’t on the original survey, which included bands like Something Corporate, Cross Canadian Ragweed and RJD2.
Michel cited both budget issues as well as schedule conflicts with the artists as major factors in the committee’s decision to book bands that were not on the survey.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to get any of the big-name artists that we had originally posted on the poll,” Michel said. “Instead, we took the genre that had the most votes and began looking for a band that has the indie-folk rock sound that students voted for.”
Lafayette-based GIVERS added the Back to School Bash to their already long list of scheduled shows for their upcoming tour, which includes a stop at Austin City Limits music festival in October.
Despite their demanding tour schedule, GIVERS guitarist Taylor Guarisco said the band brings the same energy and excitement with them on stage for every show, and though the long tours often leave them feeling over worked, none of them are too tired to stop the music.
“We are all still very excited about playing music on the road,” Guarisco said.  “It’s an amazing thing for us to realize.”
Wolves, Where?, which is also known for passionate stage performances, will take the stage before GIVERS. The band is grateful for the opportunity to open, said guitarist Kyle Anderson.  
Kyle and his brother Kody Anderson, also a guitarist in the band, attend college in Texas and have decided to miss school to play the show.
“My brother and I are missing some class and driving nine hours to play the show,” Kyle said. “We are super excited about playing Thursday night.”
—-
Contact Andrew Price at [email protected]