Mixed reviews for Fling show

"The Luckiest" Penn students were flinging at full force on Friday night in Wynn Commons.

The Spring Fling concert, headlined by Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind, was Friday's main event, and, despite cold temperatures, long waits between sets and a parking ticket issued to Third Eye Blind, the Social Planning and Events Committee labeled the sold-out evening a big success.

"I think the concert ran really smoothly," SPEC Concerts co-director and Wharton and Engineering senior Matt Mizrahi said. "Other than the somewhat cold weather, people were very happy with it and enjoyed the show very much."

"The number of people in the venue was a good number," Mizrahi added. "There was lots of empty space in the back because people, of course, push as far as they can to the front."

In the weeks leading up to the concert, debate arose regarding whether Wynn Commons was an appropriate venue for a concert in such high demand.

"It was crowded - someone passed out on me," College freshman Rose Feinberg said. "I think it could've been in a bigger location, but I noticed that a lot of people started to leave before it ended, so, by the end, space wasn't an issue."

Mizrahi also said there were no real problems with non-ticket holders trying to sneak in.

"We certainly had enough security for that," Mizrahi said, adding that the security was also sufficient to handle the one or two fights that broke out without major incident.

But despite high praise from SPEC officials, concert-goers pointed to a variety of setbacks that took away from the show.

One of the biggest complaints from students was about the long waits before the concert and in between sets.

"The almost-hourlong wait for Third Eye Blind to come on was inexcusable," College freshman Stephen Krewson said.

Third Eye Blind took the stage on schedule at 8:45 p.m.; the long wait was the result of problems with the opening act, Eef Barzelay, who was supposed to play from 8:00 to 8:30 but didn't, Mizrahi said.

There were also complaints about the speakers, which were loud and distorted at times.

"I think it would've been a much better concert if the sound quality had been better because the microphones were just really loud," College freshman Emma Edelman said. "You couldn't hear how incredible a pianist [Folds] is because it was so distorted."

But once the bands began to play, the air was filled with the sound of drums, guitars and college students singing along with big hits from the '90s.

"They were entertaining in a nostalgic way," Krewson said of Third Eye Blind.

"It definitely exceeded my expectations," Feinberg said.

The performers themselves delivered positive feedback to SPEC organizers.

"They loved the crowd and thought they were energetic and enthusiastic," said Mizrahi, who spoke with Folds and Third Eye Blind afterward.

In the end, though, Third Eye Blind's life was a little less than semi-charmed after receiving a parking ticket during the concert.

"They parked in a spot and we had it marked off for us, but I guess there was some confusion with the Philadelphia Parking Authority," Mizrahi said. "We're going to take care of that. They won't [have to] pay the ticket."

Comments (8)

The cold, the wait, and the poor sound quality were all somewhat to be expected in a concert of this nature. My biggest problem with the entire concert was that there wasn't any water. People were there for up to FIVE HOURS- many of them drunk or still drinking- and trapped with no way to hydrate. No wonder someone passed out, I can't believe there was only one. At least in the quad the nursing school provides a water station, SPEC should have set one up in Wynn Commons as well. To not provide such a basic need was irresponsible and dangerous. SPEC needs to make sure that this never happens again.

Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind suck balls...get Tom Petty next year SPEC.

So, overall, I think the concert was great. Outdoor venues always pose a problem because the wind distorts the sound at such varied levels. Also, the acoustics of Wynn Commons aren't the best for concerts. Luckily I got to the front, so the sound was great overall. I do agree with the water issue. I got the impression that the security was only hired until 12 so Ben Folds was rushed through is set. That was a bummer, I wanted to hear more songs. He should have been able to play longer, especially because the crowd that stay to see him, really wanted to see him. It was a great show. Anyone know why Eef Barzelay only played three songs? I was really looking forward to seeing him play. On another note, I cannot believe John used "suck balls" to describe Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind. Seriously, are we in sixth grade?

Great Job... Kudos to Mizrahi and SPEC !

I agree that the sound was pretty lousy. I was in the 3rd or 4th row and could barely hear vocals or the piano. The guitars cut in and out throught 3EB's set as well. The Philadelphia Parking Authority are a bunch of slobs. I've seen them give tickets to American Red Cross blood drive trucks.

Both the sound production company and the person(s) who authorized the hiring of this particular sound production company need to find new occupations. There are absolutely no excuses for having such atrocious sound quality; you can make any venue sound at least acceptable. Congratulations, SPEC, on booking two acts which met the expectations of your student population. Congratulations, also, for not only pissing off the countless students who couldn't see the show, but the ones who actually could, too. Once again, the Fling Concert was a disappointment to almost everyone because the preparations made were simply insufficient. Oh, and way to grossly overpay for both artists, by the way. Everyone feels great that the majority of dollars in your outlandish budget as well as the revenue from overpriced tickets and quad passes ended up in the pockets of execs at the Marsha Vlasic Organization and Creative Artists Agency because you have no idea how to book a show and thereby get taken advantage of. Another smashup job by SPEC.

I have been to an amazing Ben Folds concert before, and I agree that the sound was horrible. I actually left after he played his 1st song because I couldn't even hear the piano and his singing was muffled. I figured I could listen to the Ben Folds Live cd at home and actually be able to hear the music.

Horrors Jackie, no water. Ever consider bringing your own. And why would anyone "still drinking" want water? To mix with their bourbon? Trust me you won't die without water for five hours.

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