To understand fully what this blog is about you can refer to the Focus on U Finale and then select the link on the right-hand side titled 'Do You Give a Bleep?'
If you don't give a shit about watching that video, then I will provide you with a re-cap. As you may know, I am the Concerts Programmer at UWRF, therefore I am in charge of Finals Fest; this year featuring Jason Derulo. Recently Focus on U asked if they could borrow the cardboard cut out of Jason Derulo to do a bit for their Finale show. Seeing as they are a fellow organization on-campus I said to myself "Why not? How nice of them to help promote the show." Turns out they didn't give a shit about the work myself and fellow programmers have put towards Finals Fest this year, as they chose to walk around campus and ask students if they give a shit about Jason Derulo coming to campus. Long story short, the final statement is "Looks like no body gives a shit about Jason Derulo."
Despite the fact we have sold more pre-sale tickets for this show than total tickets of EACH Finals Fest in the past, this student was willing to make the claim that no body gives a shit. So this is what I have to say to everyone out there with an opinion about Finals Fest: I don't give a shit.
I have spent two years asking students what genre they want, what artist they want, how much they're willing to pay, whether they want a national act or local act, etc. and provided exactly what the majority asked for EACH time. I have given you the opportunity to share your opinion, accepted your negative feedback, and noted it for future programmers. But at the end of the day I have a job to do, and that is to book an artist.
I feel as though I've heard at all (but I'm sure I haven't). So here's a taste of what it's like to be the Concerts Programmer:
Regarding Finals Fest 2010 featuring Brother Ali and P.O.S. being moved indoors because it was RAINING:
"Why is the show in the Falcon's Nest? Knowles, Karges, the Ballroom, (the list goes on) holds more people! Looks like poor planning..."Knowles was reserved for a track meet prior to the date even being set for Finals Fest, the Ballroom DOES NOT hold more people than the Falcon's Nest (and the acoustics would be awful), and Karges can't support a concert -- it's an athletic facility. The Falcon's Nest held every person that attended the show. And don't tell me what venues their are on this campus, I'm well aware.
"Give him a mic and he'll give you a show. Brother Ali doesn't care if it's raining."
Yes we'd all love to believe that an artist will perform in any condition but it's simply not true. Brother Ali signed the contract that agreed we would hold the show at an alternative site per the weather. We're required by contract to provide an artist with the exact conditions they request; this usually includes not performing in the rain.
"Looks like Finals Fest failed again."
Looks like you have a different definition of success than the average person. Moving a free concert indoors during the rain is not a failure, it's common procedure. And failed again? Oooh so by failed you mean we failed to provide YOUR taste in music every single year for Finals Fest. Noted.
Moving on to Finals Fest 2011 featuring Jason Derulo:
"You should have booked Kid Cudi"
You should have convinced a couple hundred more of your friends to vote for him in the poll so he beat Jason Derulo.
"I don't even know who he is?"... Do you know every other artist ever? How many people could have said this about Brother Ali and P.O.S. last year? I'm sure all of those individuals who have heard of Jason Derulo were criticized for saying that last year because they don't appreciate good music like you do. Get over yourself.
"We never have [insert genre here]."
Please see below for a four-year span of concerts offered at UWRF before you try to tell me we haven't had your favorite genre of music yet. And if you're favorite genre of music is ska-metal-rock with hint of indie-experimental, underground roots than I am sorry. We have not programmed a concert to your needs yet. But can you acknowledge that is not a genre the majority of our campus will respond to? Thanks.
Finals Fest May, 2007 • Reel Big Fish • Ska
Finals Fest May, 2008 • Craig Morgan • Country
Finals Fest May, 2009 • Sara Bareilles • Pop
Rock the Riv September, 2009 • Cloud Cult • Indie
Rock the Nest February, 2010 • Dark Cell • Screamo
Rock the Nest March, 2010 • Jamestown Story, We are the Willows, We Are Mountains • Acoustic
Rock the Nest April, 2010 • We the Living • Piano Rock
Finals Fest May, 2010 • Brother Ali & P.O.S. • Local Hip-Hop
Rock the Cause September, 2010 • Solid Gold and Roster McCabe • Indie/Experimental
Rock the Nest October, 2010 • Gold Motel • Indie/Acoustic/Easy Listening
Rock the Nest November, 2010 • We are the Willows • Acoustic
Rock the Nest: Finals Fest December, 2010 • Quietdrive & Dirty Blonde • Pop/Rock & Classic Rock
Rock the Nest/Freeze Fest January, 2011 • Amanda Duncan • Acoustic
Rock the Nest March, 2011 • A.P.R.I.M.E. and Raze • Hip-Hop/Rap
Rock the Nest April, 2011 • Preston Pugmire • Acoustic/Pop
Finals Fest May, 2011 • Jason Derulo • Pop/Hip-Hop
And finally, the inspiration behind this blog, "Looks like no body gives a shit about Jason Derulo".
The most hurtful part of this video was the students who were featured, one of which we have provided countless opportunities to express his talent to our campus. Another has requested to interview myself and fellow programmers for Focus on U segments, to promote events he has appreciated in the past. And finally, Focus on U as whole for airing this video at your finale, and honestly, for even thinking it was a good idea in the first place. I have seen how hard all of you work, and how under-appreciated that work can be. I particularly enjoyed hearing "I don't give a shit about Jason Derulo, but I do give a shit about Sepia Tone performing tonight at the Focus on U Finale!" That's nice. Thanks for tearing down our programming in efforts to promote yours. Seeing as Finals Fest is a similar end-of-the-year celebration to Falcon Programs as the Finale show is to Focus on U, should I go interview students and ask them if they give a shit about Focus on U, and then air it at Finals Fest (in front of over a thousand people attending)? No. I probably shouldn't. And I wouldn't even think to do that anyway, because I respect(ed) the work you put into your shows.
I'm not looking for sympathy because I don't need it. I'm happy with the work I've done for the past two years and wouldn't change a single thing (okay maybe I wouldn't have let Focus on U borrow the life-size cut out of Jason Derulo).So to all of you who give a shit, I'll see you at Finals Fest. And if you don't, enjoy your Cinco de Mayo.
Amy I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear since it doesn't really help, but I think you've done an amazing job trying to please the campus with concerts for the last two years. One of the things I've learned this year being away from UWRF is that UWRF students have it made, especially for a campus of only 6500 people. Here at UCM we have almost double the amount of students, but only about half the funds for programming.
ReplyDeleteBefore you made the position what it is, our concert efforts on this campus were few and far between. You've done an exemplary job of bringing local artists, students, and smaller concerts in general in order to please the campus. What I learned with Finals Fest is that people just don't understand or care to learn to understand what the purpose of the event is, or how artists are selected, and how that booking process goes. Students are going to bitch, but if they really wanted to do something about it they would. Imagine the haters as Fox News, just there to criticize everything and fix nothing. It's such a crappy part of the job, but as far as I know you've done great with ignoring it.
Like you said there's obviously a lot of people who do care about this concert. For the next week work for them as you always do. Turn the negativity into a mission of showing the haters what a damn amazing concert you can organize. We all know you can do it. You're amazing, duh.