Fergie receives mixed reactions from students
By Conor Orr
Posted: 3/26/08, 1:30 AM EST Section: News
When Syracuse University juniors Angela Ma and Arielle Jerome found out that a triple-platinum recording artist was headlining the year's biggest concert event, their reaction was surprisingly apathetic.
"It's OK," Ma said. "(Block Party) just kind of goes by, I don't give it much thought."
The Daily Orange reported Monday that Fergie will be the marquee act for this year's Block Party event alongside special guest Sean Kingston - an announcement that spawned mixed reactions from students across campus.
Bryan Fucarile, a junior management major, expressed his discontent for this year's lineup, citing that Fergie and Sean Kingston are substandard compared to previous Block Party acts.
"It was kind of disappointing," he said. "Freshman year we got Kanye (West) so it's kind of a big disappointment. I'm not really into Fergie or any of her songs."
Junior Jon Smyth agreed, saying that given the event's history, this year just doesn't cut it by comparison.
"In the past 10 years they've had some decent acts, you know Common, The Roots," he said. "At least bring something normal people would like, not just 12-year-old girls."
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Despite the naysayers, Fergie and Kingston do have a fan base on the SU campus that plans to attend the concert on April 22.
"I know Fergie, she'll be doing her thing," said Joshua Foust, a freshman computer engineering major. "I got a feeling this thing is going to be a whole lot of fun. I'm pretty excited. I'm definitely going to that."
Michael Hirsch, a sophomore management major, said that judging from the people he's talked to, Block Party appears to be fulfilling its purpose as a major on-campus event.
"I guess from talking with my friends, everyone's pretty happy about it," Hirsch said. "I myself don't really know the two artists that well, but from what I hear, it sounds like it's supposed to be good this year."
This year's Block Party is also different due to a five dollar increase in student ticket prices, which have risen to $20 for students and $40 for the general public. There will be an additional $2 fee for tickets purchased online.
"It's OK," Ma said. "(Block Party) just kind of goes by, I don't give it much thought."
The Daily Orange reported Monday that Fergie will be the marquee act for this year's Block Party event alongside special guest Sean Kingston - an announcement that spawned mixed reactions from students across campus.
Bryan Fucarile, a junior management major, expressed his discontent for this year's lineup, citing that Fergie and Sean Kingston are substandard compared to previous Block Party acts.
"It was kind of disappointing," he said. "Freshman year we got Kanye (West) so it's kind of a big disappointment. I'm not really into Fergie or any of her songs."
Junior Jon Smyth agreed, saying that given the event's history, this year just doesn't cut it by comparison.
"In the past 10 years they've had some decent acts, you know Common, The Roots," he said. "At least bring something normal people would like, not just 12-year-old girls."
**** **
Despite the naysayers, Fergie and Kingston do have a fan base on the SU campus that plans to attend the concert on April 22.
"I know Fergie, she'll be doing her thing," said Joshua Foust, a freshman computer engineering major. "I got a feeling this thing is going to be a whole lot of fun. I'm pretty excited. I'm definitely going to that."
Michael Hirsch, a sophomore management major, said that judging from the people he's talked to, Block Party appears to be fulfilling its purpose as a major on-campus event.
"I guess from talking with my friends, everyone's pretty happy about it," Hirsch said. "I myself don't really know the two artists that well, but from what I hear, it sounds like it's supposed to be good this year."
This year's Block Party is also different due to a five dollar increase in student ticket prices, which have risen to $20 for students and $40 for the general public. There will be an additional $2 fee for tickets purchased online.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
jimmyj
posted 3/26/08 @ 9:19 AM EST
I don't think that UU is to blame for this. As a music industry major, there are not a lot of bands touring in April. Most major bands are gearing up for big summer tours. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 3/26/08 @ 10:00 AM EST
test
MPH
posted 3/26/08 @ 5:20 PM EST
Not to sound old, during my time at SU in the '90s, we had bands like the Ramones, A Tribe Called Quest, and Smithereens at Block Party, and that was in addition to Live, Belly, and They Might Be Giants at the welcome-to-campus fall bash, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones at Senior Celebration, and they were all FREE. (Continued…)
Jonathan Smyth
posted 3/27/08 @ 11:23 PM EST
You know what would be great at college concerts?
College music.
Stop trying to bring shite that'll please "everyone" and bring a couple real bands that people -- for whatever you're blowing on this shitshow you'd be able to throw a decent set with some real musicians. (Continued…)
Gregorio
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:59 AM EST
It's interesting some of the comments people have made about this story. I think that UU does the best job that they can given the amount of resources that they have available. (Continued…)
The Metal Realist
posted 3/29/08 @ 4:24 PM EST
Look, big friggin deal, they got some crappy singer who sings about "children missing blankets" and what not. Its college, the core group of college kids just listens to bubble-gum shit on the radio anyway, Jack Johnson, Nickelback, R&B stuff, TI, all that garbage. (Continued…)
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