Penn students did not generally express enthusiasm for the Social Planning and Events Committee's choice to have Ben Kweller as the headlining fall performer, but those who attended the concert would beg to differ.
Kweller took the stage at Irvine Auditorium Friday night along with opening act Ingrid Michaelson.
Though some said the majority of Penn students have never heard of either band, concertgoers expressed a different view.
"I was surprised that no one at Penn has heard of Ben Kweller. He has a lot of popular songs out and has played with a lot of famous musicians," said Nursing freshman Annemarie D'Amato.
Kweller began the evening by enthusiastically jumping onto stage wearing skin-tight pink corduroys with socks to match, and audience members left their seats to form a miniature mosh pit at the front of the stage.
The energetic, high-decible beginning of Kweller's set contrasted with opening act Ingrid Michaelson's coffee house-like acoustic harmonies and ukulele solo.
"I came to see Ben Kweller, but I also thought that Ingrid was really good," said College freshman April Ognibene. "I really like her music."
In response to Kweller's high-powered stage moves, guitar solos and piano glissandos,
audience members danced in the aisles while security officials told them to back away from the stage.
Kweller appreciated the audience's reaction, announcing, "I'm so grateful I have fans like you. You're a great crowd, and I just wanted you to know that."
Audience members said they enjoyed Kweller's set list, which included tracks from his latest self-titled album and a cover of Roger Miller's 1964 hit "Chug-a-lug".
"I know that Ben Kweller plays a lot of songs that are written by other artists during his shows, like the song 'Ice Ice Baby,'" said Rebecca Knab, a graduate student in the School of Social Policy and Practice. "Overall, I thought it was a really fun crowd ,and the show was more exciting than I expected."
Kweller has had a long career in music: The Texas native was signed to major label Mercury Records at the age 15, later moving to ATO Records. He has co-headlined national tours with famed acts including Ben Folds, Fountains of Wayne, Guster and Death Cab for Cutie.
"To me, Ben Kweller is almost on the same level as Ben Folds," College freshman Sandra Sohn said.
Of the 1,100 tickets available for sale, about 700 were sold by the night of the performance, according to College sophomore and SPEC Concerts co-director Preston Hershorn.
"We all thought the show turned out really well. Everyone had a really great time," Hershorn said.
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