SMU Program Council hosts a variety of entertainment events throughout the year. One of students’ favorite traditions is the annual concert series, which features a free live performance by a popular artist. This year, Program Council is hosting B.o.B. live in concert right here on campus.
The hip-hop artist will perform Thursday at 8 p.m. in McFarlin Auditorium.
When preparing for the concert series, Program Council puts a great deal of effort into selecting an artist that will please the student body.
Geenah Krisht, Program Council President, said that the extensive planning process for the concert began last May.
When selecting an artist to please the student body, Program Council must consider factors like genre, popularity of the artist, scheduling, budget and who the students would like to hear.
“We want each concert to become bigger and better than any in the past,” Krisht said.
Recent performers have included Ke$ha, Gavin DeGraw and David Nail and most recently, 3OH!3 with opener Kreashawn.
Bailee Petty, Program Council’s concert chair, said that they try to plan a show that all of the student body will want to see.
“We listen to feedback from previous concerts and we are always looking to do something new and different that hasn’t been done on campus before,” Petty said.
After featuring pop and rock performers in recent years, the Program Council members decided to pursue an artist of the Rap and Hip-Hop genre as this year’s featured performer.
After working with a booking agent and working out scheduling and budget factors, the organization secured B.o.B. for the event.
B.o.B., real name Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., is the artist behind top hits like “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes,” “Magic” and “Strange Clouds.”
Throughout the semester, Petty worked closely with Lillian Foster, Vice President of programming, and the communications team to launch the concert reveal at the Family Weekend football game.
In addition, Program Council has been promoting the event by advertising on social media and decorating Hughes-Trigg.
To get the concert set up, Petty said they coordinated the performer’s needs with lighting and sound vendors as well as with the stage crew in McFarlin.
“We also provide all hospitality needs that he could have while he’s with us,” she added.
Now that the concert preparation is complete and B.o.B. is set to arrive tomorrow, the Program Council can join the rest of the student body in anticipation for the big event.
“All of the last minute details are falling into place, and we cannot wait until Thursday. It will definitely be all hands on deck the day of the concert,” Krisht said.
According to Petty, there is a lot to look forward to Thursday night.
“Students can look forward to a fun and exciting evening, free of charge. We have an SMU student, Uche, opening the show at 8:00, followed by B.o.B.’s performance,” Petty said.
“We don’t know exactly what will be in his show, but we know it’s one that no one will want to miss.”
B.o.B. is also likely to be looking forward to his performance seeing that the singer will ring in his 25th birthday Friday.
Be sure and take advantage of this fun, free opportunity by heading to the concert tomorrow night.
General admission is free for students and tickets are available for pickup at the mane desk in Hughes-Trigg. Students must present their ticket and student ID upon entering McFarlin Auditorium.
Student premium seating is $10, non-student premium seating is $15 and non-student general admission seating is $12.
Tickets will be for sale online until today at noon. If available, tickets will also be sold at the door.
Students will be able to share their excitement with the hashtag #BoBSMU.
