Ever since the Spring Weekend lineup was finalized last week, we have been hearing murmurs on campus. Some have already seen TV on the Radio perform in Providence. Some have never heard of any of the supporting acts. Others have billed Diddy a washed-up celebrity rather than performer. So we feel it necessary to offer our advice: Chill out and trust Brown Concert Agency. This is one of the most promising Spring Weekends in recent history.
First, it is important to cut BCA some slack. As one of the most scrutinized groups at Brown, it is under immense pressure to put out two great shows. While the group gets a very large budget, it lacks the kind of funding needed to get universally recognizable acts. For less musically inclined students, sorry — Lady Gaga ain't walking through that door.
This has been a particularly challenging year for BCA. The University scheduled Spring Weekend for the same dates as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a major music festival that attracted over 200,000 attendees last year. That is some tough competition. Also, BCA booking chair Abby Schreiber '11 noted in an email to the editorial page board that this year's budget was around 18 percent smaller than last year's budget, which was unusually large in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Spring Weekend concerts.
We are impressed with the musical diversity of this year's acts. TV on the Radio is perhaps the most talented headliner in recent history and should appeal to alternative, rock, indie, punk and soul fans alike. We are grateful that, in the age of computerized and auto-tuned music, BCA has enlisted exceptional old-school musicians to showcase their talents. Frankly, we are most excited to see funk and jazz legends Lee Fields and Rebirth Brass Band, both of whose immense talents will electrify the Main Green.
To be honest though, maybe BCA should not care what we think. Last year, BCA devoted much of its resources to get the band MGMT, largely because it was the most requested group on the Undergraduate Council of Students poll that solicited suggestions. And, with all due respect to the electronic/indie twosome, they did not exactly tear the roof off the Main Green with their subdued performance. Maybe it is best if we suspend judgment and let the BCA experts work their magic.
We would urge BCA in the future to focus on more female musicians. Excluding recently-added side act Lissy Trullie and Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper, the two other singers that comprise Diddy-Dirty Money, this will be the second straight year of all-male acts. Additionally, some students last year were offended by both Wale and Snoop Dogg, as many found their lyrics misogynistic and offensive to women. And Diddy is not exactly a great friend to the feminist movement either. While we encourage Brown students to accept the distinction between an artist and his or her lyrics or personal beliefs, we also urge BCA to be a bit more sensitive to these concerns.
Ultimately, we hope students will give BCA the benefit of the doubt, get fitted in some Sean John and enjoy what should be a great Spring Weekend.
Editorials are written by The Herald's editorial page board. Send comments to editorials(at)browndailyherald.com.
