Before reading another word of this article, I suggest that you find a red marker (any bold color will do), open up your student planner and flip to the month of April. Then, draw a big X on Saturday, April 19. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) recently announced that artist Ben Folds is scheduled to entertain Gusties that day for this year’s big concert.

“I am really excited,” said Executive of CAB’s Concert Committee, Quinn Thompson, after announcing that Ben Folds was this year’s choice.

“Ben Folds is a really fantastic artist,” Thompson said. Every two years, CAB presents a major-yet-still-within-the-budget concert on campus. “I think this has potential to be one of…the biggest concerts we have had at Gustavus,” Thompson said.

The Concert board considered other bands before deciding on Ben Folds. “We had it narrowed down to six right before we went on break,” Thompson said. The committee considered surveys returned by Gustavus students in addition to input from their agent.

“The frontrunners were Ben Folds, Lifehouse and Jack’s Mannequin. We decided based on who we thought would put on the best show; who would appeal to the largest audience,” Thompson said.

Although Thompson could not say exactly how much it will cost to bring Ben Folds to Gustavus, concertideas.com lists the standard price as $40,000. Even still, tickets will be sold to students starting March 3 at the reasonable cost of $10 for students and $15 for non-students.

Thompson reports that all other colleges hosting Folds this year are charging at least $25. “The thing with us is that we’re not out to make a profit off of this show. Coming up ahead is always nice. We’re confident enough that we can attract enough people to make the show worthwhile for us. We have accounted for the possibility of a loss in the budget,” Quinn said.

As for those students who may be frustrated over CAB funds being used to pay for a concert, Thompson concedes, “That’s a valid point. You’re always going to find something that isn’t of interest to you, but I think CAB’s primary purpose is to provide quality entertainment to all students at GAC,” Thompson said.

“If there’s a campus event, it’s probably CAB that’s sponsoring it. That’s part of college. You need something to do for fun…relative to other schools, we don’t spend nearly as much,” he stated.

Personally, I could not be happier that CAB’s Concert Committee somehow convinced Ben Folds to stop in humble St. Peter, Minnesota. “I was a bit skeptical when I first heard,” Associate Psychology Professor and avid Ben Folds fan Patricia Costello admits. “I thought, ‘Why would he come here?’” This is not as strange as you would think, however.

Last year Folds completed a tour of college campuses on the East coast and his stop at Gustavus this year is just one of many on another tour of campuses in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. “He’s been going for years and years,” Thompson said. “He’s always been popular with the college kids.”

Speaking as a college kid, I agree. I do not claim to be much of a music guru but I don’t think Thompson and the concert committee were wrong in finding Folds to be a choice that appealed to a large audience.

In 2002, Folds went on a nationwide tour entitled Ben Folds and a Piano. Ultimately, that’s what you’re getting: a guy and his piano. Luckily that guy knows how to belt out shiver-inducing songs and play his piano like a bona fide rock star.

Over years of songwriting, both with Ben Folds Five, and in a solo career that started in 2000, Folds has struck the perfect combination of quirky lyrics and effortless piano melodies, resulting in songs that deliver. On any of his CD’s, you are sure to find songs that are both cheeky and heartbreaking. Folds’ first solo CD, Rockin’ the Suburbs [2002] is a perfect example.

With lyrics like, “Let me tell y’all what it’s like, being male, middle class and white,” what college kid can’t appreciate that brand of sarcastic humor? A few clicks of the ‘next’ button later, however, brings you to “Fred Jones Part II” or “Still Fighting It,” and the poignant hint of sadness in Folds’ voice never fails to raise goose bumps.

Folds is more than a song-writer, though; he is also an impressive showman. After trying to push my way to the front at three of his concerts (only twice successfully), I can personally confirm that $10 is a small price to pay for the quality entertainment that a Ben Folds concert promises.

Photo Courtesy Of: MCT Campus