After the long process of finding a band that best fits within the budget and satisfies the musical appetites of campus, planners of April's All-Campus Party have been in serious negotiations with Chicago hip-hop artist Common.
The planners'who in the past have hosted Run-DMC, Arrested Development, Better Than Ezra, and the Violent Femmes to play free concerts for students'undergo a complex process when selecting a musical artist for the party.
They begin their selection with roughly a hundred potential groups, according to Troy Vosseller, co-director of ACP. Then the student concert directors and the Wisconsin Union Directorate contact booking agents in a collaborative effort.
'We have to get the date; that's the biggest thing,' Vosseller said. 'If the date is free, we get a rough price from them. If that's within our ballpark, we'll send a bid, which is lower because they always over-shoot you. Then we slowly narrow it down.'
This year's estimated budget of $20,000 to 25,000 comes from a variety of sources, including grants from Associated Students of Madison, sponsorships from outside vendors and University Residence Hall funds, according to Chad Harris, the Union staff member presiding over the ACP.
Although the goal is always to find a band that attracts the greatest number of students, according to UW-Madison junior Ben Fiechtner, a co-director of the Badger Blowout Concert, the group is making a concentrated effort to 'expand [the audience] to everyone'hence, an all-campus party.'
This year's addition of Hip-Hop's Last Hope, a UW-Madison student organization that supports hip-hop culture, to the music board is helping to 'expand ACP's goals' and give campus diversity a 'bigger role' than in previous years, said Fiechtner.
UW-Madison senior Ryan Baker, head of HHLH, said hip-hop is a unifying force.
'Hip-hop is a tool that can help improve campus climate and can be used to retain and recruit,' Baker said.
Baker said Common would therefore be a great choice for the ACP musical guest.
'He's a well-rounded artist, very respected in the rap world and I believe he will bring everyone together of all different races and colors.'
