Making noise for T-Pain
Posted on February 4, 2008
“T-Paiiiiinnn!”
This scream, coming from sophomore Britnie Green, summed up University Program Board’s spring concert announcement on the commons Thursday.
“I’m so excited it’s going to be T-Pain,” Green said. “I will be in attendance front and center.”
Students on the commons were greeted with piping hot Swiss Miss, blasts of fake snow flurries and a monstrous inflatable couch when UPB revealed the bands coming to campus.
“Bartender” rapper T-Pain is performing with a surprise guest at the Convocation Center on April 18 at 8 p.m.
Punk band Say Anything is also coming to campus this semester. They will be playing on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. in Wilson.
“I’d like people to know the reason we chose these artists,” said Amanda Gibson, director of the center stage committee for UPB. “These are the bands students voted for.”
According to Gibson, a record number of people voted this year and the results were close. Although Rihanna came in three percentage points ahead of T-Pain, the Grammy nominee was unable to come due to her busy schedule.
T-Pain’s Grammy nominations include “Best rap song” and “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” for “Good Life” featuring Kanye West, “Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocals” for “Bartender,” with Akon and “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” for “Kiss Kiss” with Chris Brown.
UPB President Allison Beisler said SGA allocated $50,000 - $60,000 to UPB for the event. According to Gibson, UPB doesn’t make a profit from ticket sales; rather the organization strives to break even with the cost of the artist.
Prior to the announcement rumors circulated. Spectators walked the commons spreading the word about T-Pain before UPB’s official broadcast.
“T-Pain really is coming!” freshman Jaimie Ogle said after reading the stretched red and white banner that accompanied the announcement. Speakers blared “I Got Money in the Bank” and Ogle sang along.
UPB members danced, jumped on the couch and sipped on cocoa to celebrate.
Small crowds formed on the commons to discuss the news. Two students stopped at the top of the stairs beside D-Hall, staring at the scene below, phones in hands.
“It looks like there’s a party down there,” junior Christina Pappafotis said, looking down from the steps. “I’m definitely going to T-Pain. I’ll walk it out for him.”
UPB expects T-Pain tickets will go fast. The spring 2005 concert, Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday, was the last sold out show.
There will be two additional concerts this semester, according to Gibson; one in March Hall held in Wilson, and the other in April in Memorial Hall. They will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for T-Pain go on sale March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Warren Box Office. Tickets are $24 for general admission and $28 for floor when purchased with a JAC card. Tickets for the general public are $28 and will be $32 the day of the show.
Tickets for Say Anything go on sale this Monday at 8 a.m. in the Warren Hall Box Office. They will cost $15 with a JAC Card and $20 without.
