Students unimpressed as Union announces Summer ... - The Founder

4 The Founder | Wednesday 28 May 2008
Summer Ball lineup
“Unimpressive”
lineup announced
by Students’ Union
» continued from page 1
it really says something when the
best act signed up to play the Summer
Ball is home-grown, Holloway
talent, who’ve rocked Crosslands
Unplugged.
“There really needs to be an honest,
open review about why the
Summer Ball consistently fails to
achieve compelling acts to play. I
don’t blame the organisers this year
– I’m sure it has been a bitch to organise
– but structures and reforms
need to be put in place for next year,
given the high cost of tickets. I heard
some rumours about Kate Nash this
year; obviously came to naught.”
Many other students have aligned
themselves with Phil’s words, agreeing
that Handshake are the best act
on the bill. However the band faced
a battle with the Students’ Union in
order to secure their place and were
snubbed as clearly not being the
first choice. Further, Handshake are
the only act on the lineup not being
paid for their performance - the
band members are only receiving
free admission for their troubles.
Another student, Hannah Smyth,
a veteran of the Summer Ball had
the following to say: “Being my 4th
Summer Ball personally I find the
acts just a waste of money. Reduce
the ticket price by twenty quid and
have some tribute bands... we’re too
happy and drunk to care...
“If we wanted to go to the ball because
of the line up, they wouldn’t
sell out before we knew who they
were!”
The Students’ Union normally defends
itself by pointing out that demand
is always so high for the event
that lowering the ticket prices is not
something that needs to be done.
“I’ve been to the Summer Ball
in 2006 and 2007, thoroughly enjoyed
it both times and expect to
have a fabulous time again this year.
However in previous years, at least
the acts were fairly ‘modern’ pop
acts compared with this years onehit-wonders
from the 1980s. Girls
Aloud, Lemar, Rachel Stevens and
The Automatic are all far from ‘credible’
but at least they are vaguely
popular with songs that 20 year old
students can recall.
“The Summer Ball is about more
than the main stage - I’ve had a
great time milling about, chatting
to friends and breaking out the
moves in the Dance Tent. However
this years line up makes one wonder
whether those in charge are spending
their money wisely - Jason Donovan
has *reportedly* been playing
free gigs around the country this
year. I’d be interested to see a full
financial break down of how much
the union spent on acts this year -
not a basic pie chart with ‘20%’ on
music listed. I’m pretty sure the union
could have got the popular Pendulum,
a cheesy ‘old’ pop act (if so
desired) such as Jason Donovan and
perhaps a few modern and upcoming
bands (Late of the Pier? Crystal
Castles?) who would be more than
willing to play for a grand or so,
perhaps even less. It just seems that
whoever is in charge (Mark Austen)
has absolutely no clue how to spend
money wisely, which is truly shocking.
“The Amy Winehouse tribute I
don’t have a problem with - the union
have put on a soul covers band
in the early hours both years and
they’ve gone down a storm every
time (I can’t recall their name,
Funky Divas perhaps?). I think most
people are just a bit appalled at the
high costs involved in booking awful
‘cheese’ acts who will play at the
Hawth in Crawley for £100.
“Essentially, it is obvious that the
money is not being spent wisely.”
said Charlotte West, last year’s Head
of Programming for Insanity Radio
and a history finalist.
One student who wished to remain
anonymous further stated:
“The Union needs to purge outmoded
elements (i.e. 30 year old DJs
and Events Managers who have no
clue what 21st century students are
interested in) as soon as possible to
avoid a serious economic crisis and
collapsing morale from the student
body!”
However, not all students were as
disappointed with what the Union
has brought to the table. “Another
somewhat disappointing line up at
first glance but then one ponders
should we really complain when we
get an all night party in the unparalleled
wonderland of Founders?! I’d
rather pay £65 for less well known,
quirky bands than £80 or more for
chart toppers, most of whom are so
manufactured that they can’t sing
anyway.” says Jaimie Crooks, also a
finalist at Holloway.
“In my first year when I first heard
the price of a summer ball ticket I
was a little skeptical - where on earth
can all that money go I thought - but
then the SU put up those pie charts
illustrating the breakdown of costs.
It was a really effective medium they
should still use. Much of the cost
goes to insuring Founder’s and I for
one would rather go to our summer
ball in fantastic founder’s with less
well known artists and a truly fabulous
atmosphere than go to a summer
ball featuring chart toppers but
in an uninspiring modern venue,
and I know many feel the same. And
of course it’s of far greater duration
and diversity than any other event
so is absolutely worth it.
“The Vengaboys were awful last
year, as was Rachel Stevens in my
first year, but both were fairly amusing
and ultimately there’s so much
going on at the ball you don’t have to
watch all or indeed any of the acts,
although of course you are paying
for them.
“Perhaps next year the SU could
have a poll on their website to find
out students SB09 priorities by asking
either or both of the following:
A) would you rather have more
semi-famous one hit wonder bands
Above, Jason Donovan
seen as “unsuited” for a
modern student audience.
Photograph: Phil Guest/
flickr
Left, Right Said Fred
are fine for support
but the ball “needs a
proper headline act”.
Photograph: Howie/flickr
or tribute and local bands and B)
would you rather have the ball in
founders or for the ball to feature
chart-toppers. Then the price could
either go up and offer both founders
and famous performers, or the
price could be maintained but costs
restructured by changing the venue.
I’d hope students would choose to
continue the extant tradition.”
Despite the criticisms, there seems
to be little doubt that the one thing
students agree on is that the event
will be very enjoyable, if a bit painful
on the pocket.