Virginia Coalition added to Art Attack

SEE announced yesterday that they have added Virginia-based folk-rock band Virginia Coalition to the Art Attack lineup further diversifying the May 1 event.

"I think a lot of students here are fans of them," said Jessie Thompson, Student Entertainment Events concerts director and a senior marketing major.

Thompson said Virginia Coalition adds yet another distinctly different element to Art Attack that will appeal to even more students.

Last week, SEE announced that rapper Ludacris would headline the yearly concert. The Dance Party, a local D.C. band that relies on "powerpop" music and catchy hooks, will open for the Grammy award-winning artist.

Thompson said about 1,800 tickets have been sold in the first two days of sales. Last year, SEE had sold only 1,600 tickets two days before the show. Thompson said the strong start is a sign this year's Art Attack attendance will surpass last year's estimated 4,300 concert-goers.

The soft, emotional rock lyrics and melodic tunes of Virginia Coalition will act as a contrast to the bombastic The Dance Party and the intense, rapid rhymes of Ludacris.

"I wanted to get them and they were available," Thompson said. "I know they put on a very good show and that's also important."

Thompson said the main goal of Art Attack is to provide entertainment for as many students as possible, and while Ludacris will certainly be the main draw, she hopes these other bands will please a wider range of students.

While few students had ever heard of the newly added band, it didn't seem to deter them as they lauded SEE's efforts to diversify the bill.

Freshman letters and sciences major Marissa Griffith bought her ticket on Monday and said the most important thing about Art Attack is not which artists perform, but rather how well they perform.

"I really don't think [the lineup] matters as long as they put on a good show," she said.

Freshman aerospace engineering major Wes Evasick echoed Griffith's thoughts emphasizing that the lineup allows for more accessibility for students.

"It feels more like a real concert," he said. "Getting a few average bands wouldn't feel as big or important. A good concert experience is most important."

Sophomore computer science major Eddie De Leon did express some concern that maybe SEE didn't diversify the lineup thoroughly enough. He suggested that instead of rock, pop and rap, SEE could branch out and get bands from other genres, like ska.

But in the end, even De Leon admitted he would probably attend.

"I'm always down for hearing new bands, new sounds," he said. "Compared to years past, they finally pulled a big act in Ludacris."

Tickets are $5 for students and $20 for non-students and can be purchased at the Hoff Theater Box Office in the Stamp Student Union.

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