After perennial student demands for a more diverse yet mainstream Spring Fling lineup, this year's show will feature rapper Ludacris, indie hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes and a rock act that will be announced within the next two weeks.
Social Planning and Events Committee President and College senior Max Cancre said the bill reflects students' desire for variation - and response has been overwhelmingly positive thus far.
"The lineup is very strong, very fun and has songs tons of people will know," Cancre said. "People are very pleased we're bringing in a very different type of artist."
College sophomore Jonathan Howard said he appreciates that the acts are more inclusive than previous years.
"The music appeals to a much wider audience and a more diverse group of people," Howard said.
Recent SPEC concerts have featured Ben Folds, Ben Kweller and O.A.R. SPEC Concerts co-director and College sophomore Preston Hershorn said the results of the SPEC Concerts survey show students are more interested in seeing mainstream popular music, rap and R&B.;
"I'm really glad they were able to get someone from the rap/hip hop genre," Wharton freshman Sagar Shah said.
Wharton and College sophomore Alok Pandey said he was let down by last year's headliner Ben Folds, whose relaxed rock vibe did not create the energy he expected at Fling.
He said he is looking forward to seeing Ludacris, a "very good performer who knows how to excite the crowd."
College junior Jessica Levine said she is glad to see Gym Class Heroes on the bill because the band has "the potential to attract a more diverse audience."
Hershorn said collaborating with SPECTRUM - which traditionally puts on an off-campus show catering to diversity of interest - allowed SPEC concerts to widen the appeal with a more diverse lineup.
The committees pooled resources to provide a lineup that will attract more people - and fit them too. This year's event will take place at Franklin Field, which fits 8,000 attendees in comparison to 3,000 at previously used Wynn Commons.
Despite almost triple the amount of tickets to sell, Hershorn and Cancre said they have high expectations for the event and believe, like last year, tickets will sell out quickly.
Some students are not as happy with the lineup - but plan to attend anyway.
"I feel like SPEC sacrificed quality for name recognition," said College freshman Greg Marvin, who is nonetheless excited for the performance.
College freshman Jonathan Williams said he wished Penn's lineup resembled Brown's -- which includes mash-up artist Girl Talk and indie rock band Vampire Weekend.
"They're newer, better and probably cost a lot less money," Williams said.
"Even if it's not the best performers, it will still probably be a fun event, which is what counts," he said.
