Psych-rock group MGMT, known for singles “Time to Pretend” and “Kids,” will headline Art Attack.
After two years of hip-hop headliners — Nelly in 2011 and B.o.B in 2012 — Student Entertainment Events’ annual Art Attack concert will feature rock band MGMT as the main act.
The Ready Set will open for the band at Art Attack XXX on May 3 at Byrd Stadium.
SEE revealed the news yesterday morning in a video that paid tribute to past Art Attack headliners, starting with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in 1994. Following back-to-back rap and hip-hop selections, SEE received criticism for failing to provide variety in their concert picks, so they designed the video’s retrospective look to remind students of Art Attack’s diverse history, said SEE Concerts Director Kiera Zitelman.
“We had a lot of people saying, ‘Oh, we thought that SEE usually alternates between rock and rap years, so where’s the rock ‘n’ roll?’” said Zitelman. “The rock ‘n’ roll side is back this year.”
SEE officials felt MGMT — a band known for its catchy, synth-happy singles like “Kids” and “Time To Pretend” — would help restore the balance between rock and hip-hop.
MGMT may present a different type of rock from the straightforward guitar-pop of 2010’s headliner Weezer, but students seemed to react positively to the announcement.
“Last year was fun with B.o.B.; it was more of just like a good time,” said Clare Wise, a sophomore nutrition and food sciences major. “But I think this year it’s actually a band that I really like, so I think it will be good.”
Senior communications major Teneika Williams said she was happy that SEE opted for a more alternative act, a welcome change from a stale lineup of rap shows.
“I’m happy that they’re adding a variety to it,” said Williams. “I’m not surprised it’s not a hip-hop artist. We’ve had enough of them.”
But some students, such as senior journalism major Eric Morrow, expressed concern that MGMT wouldn’t be a big enough act to fill up Byrd Stadium, despite a new album release coming up in June.
“It’s kind of like what I expected from SEE at this point,” said Morrow. “It’s kind of like their usual level of artist, not someone that’s going to really attract a lot of names, not someone that’s going to headline a music festival.”
Morrow said he didn’t have a preference for a hip-hop or rock artist, but said, “I probably will go see MGMT.”
Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 8 at umdtickets.com. Student tickets are $8 and tickets for non-students are $25.
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Student Entertainment Events announced in a video this morning that rock band MGMT will headline Art Attack XXX on May 3.
The Ready Set will also perform.
After two straight years of hip-hop headliners — with Nelly in 2011 and B.O.B. in 2012 — students were pushing for a return to rock, said SEE Concerts Director Kiera Zitelman.
“We had a lot of people saying, ‘Oh, we thought that SEE usually alternates between rock and rap years, so where’s the rock and roll,’” Zitelman said.
MGMT is a psychedelic rock band with a distinct, synth-heavy sound. It first garnered widespread acclaim for its debut 2007 album Oracular Spectacular, which featured the singles “Kids” and “Time To Pretend.” Its third, self-titled record drops this June.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 8 at www.umdtickets.com. Student tickets are $8 and non-student tickets are $25.
