The Shorthorn - Seats still open for Lupe Fiasco show

HOME

Organizations

Seats still open for Lupe Fiasco show

Written by Anna Katzkova

Tuesday, 16 September 2008 07:53 PM

Tickets are still available for the Lupe Fiasco concert, which cost the university $40,000 — less than previous artists, said Seth Ressl, Greek Life and University Events director.

About 1,000 tickets have been sold so far.

Canadian hip-hop artist Kardinal Offishall will open for Lupe Fiasco on Sept. 24 in Texas Hall.

The EXCEL Campus Activities Special Events committee selected Offishall as the opening act, committee director Aaron Resendez said.

“He is not that big, but he is getting out there with his song on the radio,” Resendez said.

Although UTA paid Fiasco $40,000 to perform, that will not be the full price of the concert.

“Obviously the concert cost is more than that,” said Frank Lamas, Student Affairs vice president. “It will be another, usually $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the incidental costs.”

Money was one of the reasons why the university chose Fiasco with a committee of students, faculty, staff and EXCEL members, Ressl said.

“We brainstorm, look at what is going on in the industry in fall, who’s going to be on tour, who’s looking for college campuses,” he said. “If I were to look today, I’ll come up with a different list, because the industry changes.”

He said a priority ranking list is formed depending on price range and availability.

“Most of the artists are at one of three points in their career — on the way up, or at the top, or at the way down,” Ressl said. “We have the better deal if they are on their way up. They are more affordable, they are still pretty desirable, but not as expensive.”

That was the case with Rihanna, who performed last fall and cost the university about $60,000–$70,000, he said.

“It was good timing to get her,” Ressl said. “Now we’ll probably have to pay twice what we paid last year, if not more.”

He said the committee chose Fiasco because he fit the university’s ranking list, and the university fit his schedule.

“He happened to be someone that was looking for a tour on campuses.” Ressl said. “We are his Dallas-Fort Worth show for his album release.”

Ressl said tickets to see Lupe Fiasco in Chicago or New York would cost significantly more. According to onlinetickets.com, seeing Lupe Fiasco in Chicago would cost a minimum of $61. The price to see him in New York jumps to $253.

Remaining tickets can be purchased at www.utatickets.com for $10 for students, $15 faculty and staff and $25 for the general public. Tickets are also sold in the University Center lower level.
Views: 1068 | E-mail

Be first to comment this article

Last Updated ( Monday, 01 December 2008 02:03 PM )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]