Sunday, September 29th at 8pm, Phoenix will be playing at the EMU Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It serves as a multi-purpose arena on EMU’s campus and is often used for athletic events, graduation ceremonies, and of course, concerts. The Convocations Center hosts multiple concerts and events per semester. In the past they’ve hosted artists such as, Kid Cudi, Deadmau5, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Lupe Fiasco, Jason Mraz, Tiesto and now Phoenix.
Not only do these shows attract EMU students, but they also bring in many people from around the area. “It’s close to three college campuses: EMU, U of M, and Washtenaw CC, and there are several high schools in the area as well. It’s also not too far of a drive from MSU, Detroit, or the suburbs,” said Alessi Nehr, the Director of Midwest Operations at Prime Social Group.
The Convocation Center can hold up to 6,000 people, including many college students. The events held at this venue are a big part of student life. Nehr explains, “they tend to book acts that their students want to see. The turnout tends to be great.” In addition to students, EMU faculty often attends these shows. “I actually met an EMU professor today who is going to Phoenix,” said Nehr. In addition, Community High Alumni, Maia Volk, who now attends EMU, is very excited about the show, specifically because of her love of the band. “I think it was my sophomore year, my friend and I had this little thing where we’d make each other playlists all the time. She put them on a playlist and I got really into it. I think it was right when they released Wolfgang Amadeus, and I got really into them,” said Volk.
Along with attracting lots of college students, EMU provides two separate venues, which offer two different types of atmospheres. “Not only do they have the Convocation Center, where the Phoenix show is being held, but they also have Pease Auditorium, which is more intimate venue than the basketball arena,” said Nehr.
Though the Convocation Center has put on many different events, Nehr is particularly excited about the opportunity to host such a relevant band in today’s pop culture. “I think this show is something really rare for a band like Phoenix. In fact, I can almost guarantee that they’re never going to play EMU again, just because of routing. So if you want a really cool opportunity to see them in a college market, definitely try to make the show.”
Photo courtesy of Peggy Sorota (http://www.gq.com/entertainment/men-of-the-year/2009/music/french-band-phoenix-slideshow#slide=1)
