After weeks of promoting their second-ever "bring your own beer" concert, the Campus Activities Board found the event dampened by the weather brought on by Hurricane Ivan.
Music Live 2004 held Friday, Sept. 17, is the follow-up to last year's concert. Due to stormy weather, the event originally scheduled to be outdoors in the same place as the previous year, was moved indoors to the Cone University Center's AfterHours.
If the event had been held outdoors, approximately 400 students could've attended. However, due to the smaller setting of AfterHours, around 225 would have been the maximum amount of students who could've attended. Last year, the three acts that performed were able to play to a packed patio of students who enjoyed the event.
Like the previous year, the students who attended this year also enjoyed the event; however, the four acts performed to an audience that was only about a fourth of the size of last year's.
"All of the acts [that performed last year] were local, so that helped draw more people to the event," said Regina Young-Hyatt, assistant director for CAB, who also felt the weather was a major factor in the lack of attendants.
Students all had their own reasons to come to the event despite the rain.
"One of my friends was doing something with CAB and suggested that I come out," said Nathan Conrad, a senior and computer science major.
As for the alcohol policy, Conrad said, "I was a little taken aback by it because I didn't think the institution was promoting it, but now that I'm [at the event], it doesn't seem like much of a problem."
CAB had a number of police officers at the event to monitor the few who did bring alcoholic beverages to the event. Upon entering, CAB members and Cone Center staff checked IDs for those of age and to make sure those attending the event were solely UNC Charlotte students.
T-Rex, made up of students attending UNCC, was the show opener. The crowd gathered in front of the stage and grooved to the smooth styling of the rappers, who later jumped in the crowd to encourage more dancing. The group rapped over other artists' beats such as Fat Joe and the Terror Squad's "Lean Back," while borrowing lines such as, "girl, show me what you working with" from other artists.
"I knew some of the groups would keep it real and keep the hype. The group [T-Rex] did just that and represented it for 2-5-2 [eastern North Carolina], where I'm from," said Racine Davis, a sophomore art major.
Davis and her friend, Latasha Watts, a junior criminal justice major, both agreed the event was a lot of fun despite the small crowd.
Solo artist Dan Fields performed after T-Rex. Fields appeared on stage in the spotlight, dressed in jeans and striped polo shirt with a guitar wrapped around his body. Though this act was very simple, Fields still drew applause with his Howie Day sound. He also did renditions of "Laid" and "Ain't No Sunshine when She's Gone." The crowd relaxed in their seats while snacking on refreshments provided by CAB. Fields has also previously shared the stage with Vienna Teng who performed at Ritazza's last year, also courtesy of CAB.
"His music is the type I like (acoustic guitar), so I think it's enjoyable," said Conrad.
After the solo guitar of Fields, another hip-hop group performed fresh beats for the crowd. Getting everyone pumped up again, Thyrday got the crowd to get up and dance.
The three-man group came out rapping hard and fast to old tracks such as "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor and "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson. Thyrday also rapped over "Lean Back," proving the song's popularity. The group also walked into the crowd to bring up the excitement.
"They had good energy and got the audience involved," said Michelle Kee, a sophomore business major.
Perhaps by the time the trio left, the crowd was too exhausted to remain to hear the final act.
Bringing their own instrument sets, Clifton prepared to take the stage following Thyrday. The Charlotte folk rock band played all original songs, keeping a good mix of slow and fast songs. Clifton has played in other local Charlotte venues such as Double Door Inn.
"I thought they were good, so I'm glad I stayed for it," said Kayce Owens, a senior majoring in social work and sociology. "It was worth staying. I just wish more people had stayed as well."
Despite the turnout, Anthony Brumfield, director of Live Entertainment, felt the event was a success in another aspect. "From the crowd's response, I feel it's been a success because the students who came out had fun," said Brumfield.
Young-Hyatt agreed. She said, "It's a success if the students who come out are having a good time."
