The lineup for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which will overlap with Spring Weekend for the second year running, eliminated two of students' favorite Spring Weekend contenders. The favorites were determined by a poll jointly conducted by the Undergraduate Council of Students and Brown Concert Agency. Coachella's lineup was announced earlier this month.
UCS received 900 surveys, and BCA's website received 468 responses. The poll yielded seven unique acts. Of these seven — Childish Gambino, Mumford and Sons, Foster the People, Kid Cudi, Passion Pit, Lady Gaga and Avicii — only Childish Gambino and Avicii are scheduled to perform at Coachella.
The overlap in Coachella and Spring Weekend could prevent other acts from performing at Brown. Sandy Ryza '12, who co-chairs BCA with Gillian Brassil '12, said Coachella complicated Spring Weekend's planning before the lineup was even announced. Some artists rejected Spring Weekend bids, hinting that they were performing at Coachella. "They say stuff like, ‘we're playing shows in California' or ‘we'll be in Southern California that day.' It seems pretty clear," Ryza said.
"There are definitely acts that we would have gone for that are playing Coachella," Ryza said.
Spring Weekend conflicted with Coachella last year as well. Ryza said BCA does not schedule Spring Weekend, but he understands the University Scheduling Committee's restrictions. There are only two weekends between spring break and reading period, not including Easter weekend. Ryza said weather is also likely factored in, as it is often better later in the year.
Ryza said BCA will try to schedule between four and six acts for Brown's three-day festival. One unnamed headliner is already slotted to perform, he said.
While Ryza would not comment about whether the scheduled act is one of the unbooked student favorites, he said some of these acts were eliminated as possibilities because of budgetary concerns.
The other performers are still not booked.
Ryza said he hopes scheduling will be completed by the end of February, though it continued "well into March" last year.
Spring Weekend is funded by the Undergraduate Finance Board. Last year, the budget was $180,000. But this year, Ryza said it has decreased to $150,000 — a drop of 17 percent.
Stephen Weinreich '14 said he will go to Spring Weekend depending on the bands and added that understands there is a competition with other concerts to book acts.
Adam Garcia '14 said last year he "just didn't think the concerts were worth it." While his attendance this year will depend on the acts, he said he will likely go and is "sure it will be fun."
