FAU is all set up to be the first stop for mtvU’s Campus Invasion ’05, featuring the two bands Muse and Razorlight, unless of course hurricane season comes early this year. Last fall hurricane Jean scared off MTV. FAU was forced to scramble for local talent for the Rock the Vote concert.
This spring FAU’s Program Board (The Board) is extremely confident that mtvU, a subdivision of MTV, will be invading FAU April 8, even though, as of today’s print date March 21, the contracts are yet not signed. “This is common. Contracts are not usually finalized until a couple of days before the event,” says Jennifer Welsh, concert coordinator for The Board. She adds, “No show is ever 100% guaranteed until that event takes place on stage, but I’m 100% that MTV will be here – we were the first school to be confirmed for this tour.”
Welsh has racked up plenty of experience since she started organizing concerts five years ago, and claims that since she’s been here, this is the largest concert production at FAU that she’s seen. “What sets this event apart from others is that MTV will have videographers on campus and FAU will be on TV.”
In addition, we’re the ‘kicker school’, which means that FAU will be showcased in commercials for the new season of the mtvU Campus Invasion. “This will be something different for FAU, it will be a good show and students should come out,” Welsh added.
The Board has already spent $4,000 for advertising on the FM radio station 103.1 The Buzz, a south Florida alternative rock station. “This type of advertising usually costs $43,000 but The Buzz gave us a great deal”, claims Brett Klien – the Coordinator of Programming for Student Activities. Klein also points out the bargain that FAU is getting by dealing with a “middle man” is much cheaper and organized. He says, “The entire package for this concert that we worked out with Clear Channel, includes Muse and Razorlight on stage, and an entire village. This will cost $25,000, which is about half compared to last time MTV came to FAU with Moby”. During the concert there will be a tent village set up on the Student Housing lawn with all types of activities.
The Board has been bidding since November to bring MTV to FAU. Finally, in early January, Student Activities signed the bid, and next week MTV will be south bound – headed towards FAU. The mtvU Campus Invasion is all part of a series of FAU’s Spring Fling week that will kick off April 5 with a comedy show. Other events include a carnival and a car show.
Tickets for the mtvU campus invasion cost $5. For more info about the Campus Invasion tour, go to www.mtvu.com.
