News

Bleachers selected for SOLO Concert

Bleachers, a pop musician based in New York City, is scheduled to perform as the spring SOLO artist at 8 p.m. April 4 in the Hooper Eblen Center.

Bleachers is the official stage name of singer, songwriter and record producer Jack Antonoff, who is also a member of the bands Fun and Steel Train. His music incorporates indie-pop and alternative rock inspired by late 80s, early 90s music and John Hughes films, while still using modern influences. 

Although Antonoff’s roots are planted in New York City, he went on a world-wide non-stop tour behind his debut album Strange Desire, which ranked number two on the U.S. Billboard for Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums. The song, “I Wanna Get Better,” paved the way for his success, and still stands as his biggest hit.

Brady Hancock, SGA’s Executive Public Relations Chair, said he received some negative responses when it was announced that Bleachers would be the spring SOLO artist, because not a lot of people are familiar with the musician and didn’t get the artist they wanted. 

Hancock said the decision-making process is not easy and SGA tries their best to get Tech’s first choice artist, but they couldn’t get the first choice this semester due to complications with artists’ availability and conflicts with artists’ prior commitments. 

SGA sponsored an event Oct. 30 welcoming pop artist/group recommendations for the SOLO Concert, and on Nov. 8, an email containing a link to vote was sent to the student body. Among the variety of artists, Bleachers was chosen.

“The vote SGA sends out is what we go by and we contact Tech’s number one pick and if they don’t like our dates or our price then we have to go onto the next artist,” he said. “Two of the other artists are doing Bonnaroo in the summer and they’re not allowed to do a concert within a certain mile radius of Manchester six months prior to Bonnaroo.” 

“I know a couple of Bleachers’ songs and they’re really fun and upbeat,” he said. “Every artist that has performed at Tech in the past has been a good entertainer, so even though I may not know all of the songs performed I know I’ll have a good time.” 

SGA member Alexia Dorris said tickets are scheduled to be sold from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. until April 3 in the RUC lobby.  

Students are allowed two tickets and must show their Eagle Card to receive tickets. Backpacks and coolers are prohibited, and all bags or purses are subject to search upon entry. Arena seating is first come, first serve, and the first 200 in each of the four entry lines to the floor will receive wristbands for floor access.

Members of SGA said one advantage of being in SGA is that they have a private meet and greet with all of the SOLO artists. 

“The genre for next semester’s SOLO concert is country,” Dorris said.