After much controversy and student debate, the 112 concert last Friday night proved to be the most financially successful concert since LL Cool J in 1998.
Fairfield students joined Sacred Heart and other visitors to tally ticket sales to 2,800, a sell-out for the Alumni Hall venue.
“We (FUSA) were very satisfied. Our goal was to sell-out, we did that and made a profit of $5- 7,000, which will go directly in the music budget for this spring,” said VP of Programming, Bridget Hennessey.
112 drew more students and profit than Wyclef and Ben Harper. According to Stephanie Holland, co-director of music for FUSA, the band cut the school a great deal. The concert cost FUSA a total of $48,000, breaking down to only $27,000 for the actual bandThe remaining $21,000 went towards 112’s agency, Fairfield Police Department, Fairfield Fire Department, hospitality, maintenance and other concert preparations.
“We got a great deal for 112, considering how accomplished they are with number one hits and all their performance credits. The band was excited to do the concert for us,” said Holland.
Considering that the concert was sold out and many non-Fairfield students would attend, Fairfield Security prepared themselves for any possible problems. Five Fairfield University officers and ten Fairfield Police officers worked that night, along with three Fairfield Firemen.
“I expected major problems, since 112 was performing so late, but there really weren’t any. Everything ran smoothly and professionally.” said Mike Lauzon, Assistant Director of Fairfield Security.
There was one reported incident where two Fairfield students and one non-student were arrested for fighting. According to Lauzon, alcohol did not play a part in the incident. Lauzon was also surprised that alcohol did not cause any problems at all that night. Many students did report witnessing fights outside of Alumni Hall, after the concert ended
112 had recently been touring with Janet Jackson, and the contract they signed with FUSA was to perform that same act which ran 45-50 minutes. Some students felt the concert was too short, considering ticket prices ($15 for FU students and $20 for the general public).
“I thought they played good songs, but it was too short. I also thought they’d play more songs from their new album,” said Mary Anderson, ’03.
According to FUSA’s Programming Board, due to the fact that 112 was playing at a small venue, their concert time was meant to be just 45-50 minutes. Other bands touring universities generally perform under the same conditions. The Wyclef concert in 1999 was also only 50 minutes, according to FUSA.
“I guess I would have liked to have seen them play longer because they’re a good group, but I can’t complain. They played all their best songs, new and old, and really gave a good show. They haven’t been around forever, I didn’t expect a two hour- greatest hits concert or anything,” said Mike Delasala, Sacred Heart student, ’03.
There were students who were not as enthusiastic about 112 playing at Fairfield. Although ticket sales did indicate that 1,400 out of 2,800 attendees were Fairfield students.
“I didn’t go to the concert because I’m not familiar with 112 and neither were my friends. I didn’t feel that 112 represented the majority of Fairfield students,” said Jennifer Logan, ’02.
Regarding next semester’s concert, FUSA plans to poll the students, in attempt to please as many students as possible.
“I think polling is necessary to try and make everyone happy. You can’t say we didn’t try,” said Holland.
About 75 FUSA members worked on the concert, along with IRHG (Inter Resident Hall Government) who gave $1,000 for the event.
“Looking back at the end result was the best part because everything came together, all the hard work paid off,” said Holland.
According to Holland, FUSA spent three-times as much money on 112 than they did for the Ben Harper concert. The stage, lighting and sound were all improved to create the best quality and enhance the overall performance.
“I felt that we were prepared. Our biggest concern was when 112 arrived. We had to change that location several times because fans were grouped up and waiting. We worked tightly with security; it was really ran like a major concert,” said Hennessey.
The 112 concert may have been the first time that Alumni Hall inadvertently became a smoking venue. According to Lauzon, it would have been impossible to stop over 2,000 people from smoking. The fans were just left to do what they wanted, as long as they didn’t interfer with the concert.
“Everyone was there to have a good time, we’re not going to break anything up unless the students got really flagrant,” said Lauzon.
With a larger programming budget, FUSA is enthusiastic to plan music events for next semester. According to Holland, FUSA is looking into a battle of local bands and another large concert, possibly working with the Bridgeport Arena.
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