The Daily OrangeBen Folds, Guster to headline Block Party concert
By Dan Kaplan
Posted: 3/17/09, 3:59 AM EST Section: News
Alternative rock acts Ben Folds and Guster will perform at this year's Block Party concert on April 26, University Union announced Monday.
Folds returns to Syracuse University after more than four years away. He played a sold-out show in Goldstein Auditorium in January 2005.
"Our surveys showed that he has a good following," UU President Gustavo Melendez said of Folds. "Out of what we have, he does appear as one of the top artists students request. It definitely was something we needed to follow up on."
Folds is best known for his 2001 solo hit "Rockin' the Suburbs," as well as his work with the trio Ben Folds Five in the 1990s. His most recent release, 2008's "Way to Normal," hit No. 11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Guster's alternative rock sound dates back to 1991, when the band formed as students at Tufts University. They have had two albums make the Billboard 200.
The two acts represent a change in direction for Block Party. This year's concert will be the first since 2003 that will not be headlined by a hip-hop or pop act. Past headliners have included Snoop Dogg in 2005, Kanye West in 2006, Lupe Fiasco and Ciara in 2007 and, most recently, Fergie and Sean Kingston in 2008.
UU director of concerts Kelly Bertog said that the organization was looking forward to a different atmosphere at the event, and seeing what kind of crowd the concert would draw.
"We're really excited to have actual bands as a part of Block Party. That never happens," Bertog said. "We've never had a headliner that wasn't a hip-hop or a pop act, so we're finally getting the campus something a little bit different."
Another difference comes in the timing of the concert. Last year, the show was held the same day as and co-sponsored by MayFest. This year, Block Party will be held the Sunday after the event - now called SU Showcase - and will be presented exclusively by UU. Bertog said that UU preferred the weekend date for the show, because there would be less conflict with other events throughout the day.
Folds returns to Syracuse University after more than four years away. He played a sold-out show in Goldstein Auditorium in January 2005.
"Our surveys showed that he has a good following," UU President Gustavo Melendez said of Folds. "Out of what we have, he does appear as one of the top artists students request. It definitely was something we needed to follow up on."
Folds is best known for his 2001 solo hit "Rockin' the Suburbs," as well as his work with the trio Ben Folds Five in the 1990s. His most recent release, 2008's "Way to Normal," hit No. 11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Guster's alternative rock sound dates back to 1991, when the band formed as students at Tufts University. They have had two albums make the Billboard 200.
The two acts represent a change in direction for Block Party. This year's concert will be the first since 2003 that will not be headlined by a hip-hop or pop act. Past headliners have included Snoop Dogg in 2005, Kanye West in 2006, Lupe Fiasco and Ciara in 2007 and, most recently, Fergie and Sean Kingston in 2008.
UU director of concerts Kelly Bertog said that the organization was looking forward to a different atmosphere at the event, and seeing what kind of crowd the concert would draw.
"We're really excited to have actual bands as a part of Block Party. That never happens," Bertog said. "We've never had a headliner that wasn't a hip-hop or a pop act, so we're finally getting the campus something a little bit different."
Another difference comes in the timing of the concert. Last year, the show was held the same day as and co-sponsored by MayFest. This year, Block Party will be held the Sunday after the event - now called SU Showcase - and will be presented exclusively by UU. Bertog said that UU preferred the weekend date for the show, because there would be less conflict with other events throughout the day.
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