The Samples will play at Spring Fling

The fairytale has not even started and already it seems as if this year's Spring Fling has been touched by a fairy's wand -- or maybe sprinkled by a sample of magic dust. The Spring Fling Concert Committee announced that the band The Samples will play at Fling on April 22 along with Sonic Youth. The phone call from the Samples' booking agent Friday evening was the second lucky break in less than a week for members of the Social Planning and Events Committee. The Fling Concert Committee was able to announce that Sonic Youth would play Fling last week, the earliest announcement of a Fling band in three years. "It's a function of hard work and a good dose of luck," said Co-Director of SPEC Concerts Vivek Tiwary, a Wharton and College senior. When the Samples agreed to play at Fling, the committee secured the second of at least three bands that will co-headline the outdoor Fling concert. Fling Co-Director and Wharton junior Gil Beverly attributed the committees' success to good timing and good feelings. "Sonic Youth begins their tour two weeks after Spring Fling," he said. "And they were looking for a real low-risk opening for their tour. And the Samples have a good following and were well received." When The Samples came to play at the now shut-down Chestnut Cabaret last year, they also played a free show at Houston Hall, SPEC Concerts Co-Director and College junior Mike Parker said. The band was so well received at the 4 p.m. show that they offered to come back in May and give a free concert. But because it was finals week, the concert was not feasible Parker added. The band's popularity at the University motivated the committees' decision to give them the Fling concert bid, Tiwary said. "The reason we threw The Samples on the bill is we thought they would appeal to a more mainstream crowd," he said. "We want to create a show with a little bit for everyone. But not so much so that fans of one band won't be able to party with fans of another." If the committee can secure a third band, they will try to add a fourth "smaller band" to the ticket, Tiwary added. In an attempt to combat rumors, Parker explained why several bands refused bids for the Fling concert. Live is touring in Australia and the Beastie Boys are playing at another Philadelphia location, Parker said. Although the committee also tried to get Hootie & the Blowfish for the concert, they were not available, Parker added.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.