Music impresses, attendance disappoints

The Orwells, Plain White T’s and The Fray brought a show to the Hilltop worthy of a throwback Thursday performance on a Wednesday evening.

The Orwells set the tone right from the start with their hard rock sound and Kings of Leon-inspired stage presence. With oddly colored hair and beautiful bass lines, this band clearly deserved attention.

The Plain White T’s were less than impressive. Although their stage presence was more audience friendly, frankly their sounds were as lame as junior high. With the exception of a burst of energy from the band’s final song “Rhythm of Love,” it’s safe to say that no one missed anything big with this opener.

Then, the night transitioned a little more smoothly as the Renaissance Coliseum welcomed a Grammy award-winning band.

The Fray played a solid mix of songs off its newest album “Helios” with hits like “Love Don’t Die” and tracks from its 2005 album “How to Save a Life” with tunes like “Look After You.”

When the band finally got around to playing “How to Save a Life,” the audience lit up with swaying students and LCD cell phone screens.

Audience members danced alongside Isaac Slade’s falsetto sounds and power ballad performance. In 2014, The Fray seems to be back and ready to keep playing with an edgier sound and exciting stage presence.

The disappointment, howeverdid not lie with the actual performance but with the lack of student attendance.

So if this wasn’t the concert students wanted, who is to blame?

It’s not as simple as pointing a finger at the Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU) because it simply put on the show that its survey supported. Many students defended ACBU’s choice publicly, but only 40 percent of attendees were actually students.

Lack of student attendance is no new phenomenon to the university.

From unattended basketball games to empty seats at Congressman John Lewis’ civil rights event, we as a student body have not been supportive of university events.

ACBU is an organization run by students, for students and is in need of student support.

So, was attendance low because the show collided with class or was it because Crusens sounded more exciting? If we’re unhappy with acts that perform, is our solution to simply not show up? That in itself sends a message.

These are the years that we are supposed to look back on for the rest of our lives, so demand more from your college experience. Either rally behind your university, or do something about it.