Staff Editorial: At last, a strong Fling?

By all accounts, last year's Spring Fling concert did not go smoothly. After rain delayed the beginning of the show, De La Soul's performance was littered with microphone problems. Then, headlining act George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars didn't arrive on stage until close to midnight, and Clinton himself remained backstage for 45 more minutes. By that time, many students had headed for the exits after four-plus hours of frustration. But this year, the Social Planning and Events Committee's concerts branch has lined up a bill that has the potential to make students forget last year. With four current, mainstream acts headlined by rap star Busta Rhymes, the Fling concert should appeal to a wide range of students. Rhymes and Jurassic 5 are fairly well-known commodities and will likely draw a larger crowd than Clinton did last year. In addition, all four of this year's acts -- including The Donnas and OK Go -- have gotten significant airplay on the radio and on MTV in recent months, something that cannot be said for last year's selections. The committee has also made a wise decision by moving the concert from its traditional Hill Field location to Franklin Field to accommodate more people. The show may be less intimate than in past years, but if logistics are worked out properly, it could be one of the most highly attended in Fling history. But a word of caution for the Fling planning committee: last year's four-act show took far too long to set up and lasted even longer. There were elements beyond the committee's control, but many students left disappointed and feeling as if they hadn't gotten their money's worth. This year's show has the potential to be one of the most successful in recent memory. Here's hoping the committee learns from last year's mistakes and that this year's show goes off without a hitch.

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