October's Howie Day concert at Penn has already generated more than twice as many ticket sales as last year's Spring Fling concert featuring Sonic Youth.
On the first sales day alone, the Social Planning and Events Committee's Concerts division sold an estimated 400 tickets in three hours, said SPEC Concerts co-Director Matt Mizrahi, an Engineering and Wharton senior.
"The first day of ticket sales was phenomenal," Mizrahi said. "A line formed as we were setting up ... in front of Steinberg-Dietrich [Hall], and it went about halfway down to 36th Street."
As of yesterday, SPEC had sold almost 800 out of the 1,100 tickets that it has available for the Oct. 7 concert.
Last year's Spring Fling concert featuring Sonic Youth had an estimated 250 to 300 students in attendance.
Students may buy up to four tickets at a time. However, only students with PennCards will be allowed to enter the venue.
Mizrahi said that this concert is geared mainly toward Penn students, staff and faculty because of a contractual agreement with Howie Day and Verizon, which is sponsoring the concert as part of its Verizon Wireless' Music Unleashed Concert Series.
Regarding students from other schools who may want to attend, Mizrahi said, "The exceptions are very, very limited, and there are no guarantees" that they will be able to.
The concert, which will be held in Irvine Auditorium, is general-admission seating. It will start at 8 p.m., and the doors will open at 7 p.m.
College freshman Jennifer Ball has already purchased her tickets and plans on going to the concert with friends from her hall.
"I think it's going to be really fun. ... I know a lot of people who are going who are really excited, too," she said. "I love the song 'Collide.' ... It's one of my favorites."
College freshman Rosemary Lelich bought six tickets in total for herself and her friends.
"I was super excited when I heard he was playing at Penn," Lelich said. "It's just really nice that the tickets are so inexpensive and that he's playing right here."
College junior Priyanka Tulshian considers herself a Howie Day fan but will not be attending the concert.
Tulshian and her friends saw him live in concert over the summer, but they "weren't too impressed."
"He sounded really weird. ... he basically just sounded like he was high on a lot of things," Tulshian said. "I like him better on CD."
Nevertheless, SPEC Concerts directors say they are excited for the concert.
"So far I've been really impressed by the response," Mizrahi said.
As for the contrast between this year's Howie Day concert and last year's Sonic Youth concert, Mizrahi preferred to keep them separate.
"The concert last year was the concert last year, and I'd rather not compare the two," Mizrahi said. "I'm just glad the response has been enthusiastic so far."
Tickets will be on sale on Locust Walk for $10 all of next week. Any tickets left over will be sold at the door for $12.
Ticket sales - Tickets will be on sale on Locust Walk for $10 all of next week - Any tickets left over will be sold at the door for $12 - About 300 tickets remain
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