Despite a new venue and marketing aimed directly at students, this year's Spring Fling concert was significantly less attended than concerts of past years.
The Social Planning and Events Committee said that they sold over 400 tickets to the show, which featured Sonic Youth, Citizen Cope and Cat Power, according to College senior Tom Kurland, a co-director of SPEC Concerts. However, students in attendance estimated that approximately 250 to 300 people were present.
"I thought it was fantastic," Kurland said. However, he expressed his disappointment with the low turnout.
"I wish the vibe hadn't been so negative," he said.
Last year's concert featured Wyclef Jean, Reel Big Fish and The Working Title, with a turn-out of about 2,200.
While the event was sparsely attended, students present commented on the quality of this year's performances.
"I was a little worried that it would be a small venue and the crowd wouldn't be into it," College freshman Max Stevens said.
"I happen to be one of those lucky people that's been a fan of [Sonic Youth] for a long time," he said. "They played their hearts out, which was cool."
However, Stevens found the concert enjoyable despite the small crowd.
Of course, not all students agreed with the merits of the lineup.
"I've never even heard of Sonic Youth," said College freshman Alex Feldman, who did not attend the concert. "I didn't want to waste that much money on a band I've never heard of."
Feldman said that no one he knew had planned on attending the concert.
Kurland acknowledged the risk SPEC took with this year's lineup.
"Every year we start from scratch and we try to put together the best possible show," he said. "This year we thought to try something different."
Stevens, while a fan of the groups, thought that the choices ultimately led to low turnout.
"I think headlining with Sonic Youth was a problem," he said.
He did like the fact that it was a "self-selected crowd -- there weren't a bunch of random, drunk, angry Penn students."
The concert, which was held in Wynn Commons, was advertised to begin at 7 p.m.
However, due to a memorial service being held at College Hall, the concert's sound check was delayed, causing opener Cat Power to begin her set at 7:30 p.m.
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