SEE’s annual concert draws artists from East (Jukebox the Ghost) and West (2AM Club) coasts

Locally founded indie band Jukebox the Ghost is headlining SEE’s Back to School Bash with 2AM Club opening, SEE representatives announced Monday.

The annual concert, which traditionally features up-and-coming artists, will take place Thursday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. in Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom. Tickets go on sale online Thursday at midnight.

Spirited pop-rock trio Jukebox the Ghost formed in 2003 while its members were attending George Washington University. The group’s upbeat, piano-driven sound led to its appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman” and a hit single (“Somebody” from its third and most recent album, Safe Travels). The band, based out of Brooklyn, N.Y., has played at Lollapalooza and toured with artists including Ben Folds, Barenaked Ladies and Jack’s Mannequin.

2AM Club, formed in 2008, blends pop and hip-hop for a peppy vibe; the band has toured with several hip-hop artists, including Mike Posner, Far East Movement and Chiddy Bang.

Jukebox the Ghost and 2AM Club were ranked highly in a Student Entertainment Events student survey, said Stephen Gheysens, SEE president.

The back-to-school concert has booked several artists before they achieved mainstream fame, including Kanye West, Chiddy Bang and Mac Miller. SEE hopes the event serves as the big kickoff to a year packed with many more shows and concerts, said Shadia Weeks, SEE public relations director.

“We think it’s cool for students to be able to say, ‘Hey, remember when we saw those bands way back before they were huge names? But we got to see them intimately on our campus,’” Weeks said.

SEE announced the Back to School Bash lineup Monday night via the inflatable screen on McKeldin Mall just before a showing of The Great Gatsby. Zach Bouis, a freshman letters and sciences major, said he hadn’t heard of Jukebox the Ghost but upon hearing one of its songs at the unveiling on the Mall, he liked what he heard.

Senior aerospace engineering major Brandyn Phillips recognized Jukebox the Ghost and said he’s thankful for the diversity of musicians brought to the campus.

“I think it’s good that we get a good mix of mainstream artists and more low-key stuff,” Phillips said. “That gives me insights into new music I maybe wouldn’t hear.”

Tickets go on sale at midnight Thursday at umdtickets.com; they’re $8 for university ID holders and $15 for the general public.