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Maroon 5 to continue the university’s tradition of popular artists’ concerts

Written by Alanna Quillen, The Shorthorn senior staff

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 06:33 PM

It’s that time of year when another big music industry name will perform to a sold-out crowd at Texas Hall. Every fall since 2006, student affairs, university events and EXCEL Campus Activities collaborate to put together a concert by a popular music artist.

During the summer, a committee of EXCEL and Student Congress executive board members meet and make a list of artists they think the university community would be interested in. This summer, the board considered Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx, along with Maroon 5.

“The concert is a great experience outside of the classroom,” said Mike Taddesse, university events assistant director. “It shows that the university cares about entertainment.”

Any money made from the shows goes back into a student life fund to go toward the next year’s concert. The cost includes labor, production, security, rider (a person who tends to the artist in the dressing rooms), hospitality, venue rental, paying the artist and stage set up and tear down.

“Our shows are not based on money,” Taddesse said. “We want people to say that during their time here at UTA, they got to see Ludacris.”

Here’s a look at the previous artists, how they performed during their concert, and what they have been up to since their show at UTA.

Ludacris performs during his sold out concert at Texas Hall in 2007. (The Shorthorn: File Photo)

Ludacris – 2006
Cost: $125,000 estimated
$12 per ticket

Ludacris kicked off the fall concert tradition.

Prior to UTA, the performer established himself as a rap artist through his albums, production work, a Grammy award and movie appearances. His concert was planned to take place at Maverick Stadium but moved to Texas Hall due to noise disturbance to neighboring houses.

“His crowd at the concert was so diverse and no one was sitting down,” Taddesse said. “Texas Hall was rocking, literally shaking.”

Since then, Ludacris has transitioned more so into the movie business, appearing in Crash and this year’s Gamer.

“Ludacris was huge then,” Taddesse said. “It was awesome to see someone of his caliber here.”

Rihanna sings to the crowd during her concert at Texas Hall in 2007. (The Shorthorn: File Photo)

Rihanna – 2007
Cost: $100,000
$10 per ticket

Rihanna was up-and-coming when she performed at UTA.

She was an hour late for her show that year, causing concert-goers to become angry and restless, he said. People began to doubt that she had been booked. Her tardiness was due to putting together her hair, make-up and clothing.

“Once she performed, she kept the energy high and did a really good job even after being late,” said Maggie Garza, EXCEL University Events director. “She had to make up for that hour.”

She wore outfits like a tutu, leather top, leotard and high-heeled boots. Rihanna was the only show with VIP seating to students.

“Everyone knew her for her song ‘Umbrella’ that came out that year. But now, she’s also known for unfortunate news with Chris Brown,” Taddesse said. “We caught her at the moment where she was beginning to blow up.”

Lupe Fiasco opened his set in 2008 at Texas Hall with "Kick, Push" from his album Food and Liquor. (The Shorthorn: File Photo)

Lupe Fiasco – 2008
Cost: $90,000
$10 per ticket

“He definitely has a cult following by nonconformist rap listeners. His album Kick, Push put him on the map,” Taddesse said. “It seemed like during 80 percent of his songs during the concert, he would stop and you could hear people singing along with him.”

Fiasco actually signed the lid to a peanut butter jar in his dressing room and left it behind. In relation to his song “Kick, Push,” EXCEL bought a miniature skateboard for the artist to sign.

“We’re trying to buy every artist that performs an item that relates to them in some way,” Garza said. “Artists don’t see that at every venue.”

In 2008, he appeared on the BET Awards and was featured on a CNN series titled “Black America,” which showed aspects of black men throughout the nation. A few weeks before the show, he did the MTV Video Music Awards. Since his concert, Fiasco has toured Europe and Asia.

“He went against the norm of stereotypes in black artists like bling-bling and cussing left and right,” Taddesse said. “Lupe is not about that, and his music focuses on that.”

In 2010, Fiasco will frequent the entertainment map even more. He’s gearing up for a new album release — possibly before the New Year begins.

Maroon 5 – 2009
Cost: $110,000-120,000
$15 per ticket

Tickets for the concert sold out in eight days.

“Maroon 5 can draw in so many,” Garza said. “Their music is a little bit of everything.”

Garza said she’s pretty certain the band will play songs from their new album due to its release at the start of next year. Other possible songs include “Wake Up Call,” “This Love” and “Sunday Morning.”

Taddesse said it took a long time to put a contract together because the band was busy planning its national college tour. In case the university couldn’t get Maroon 5, EXCEL considered back-ups like The All-American Rejects and Taking Back Sunday. This group has sold the most expensive concert tickets at $15.
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