Katie Mulkerin
Connector Contributor

Each year students from different universities look forward to concerts that their schools may host. Most commonly there are spring concerts and discounted tickets readily available. UMass Lowell has most recently hosted John Bellion with more to come.

UMass students may recall hearing about Drake’s performance at the Tsongas Center back in 2010. He went on to feature UMass Lowell’s school sweatshirt in one of his music videos. Since 2010 some students say they have had limited knowledge about upcoming concerts.

Contrary to popular belief, the UMass activities/events department does not directly deal with organizing concerts. The Tsongas Center is the epicenter of functions correlated with the university. Nate Harris, Assistant General Manager, and Keith Vaske, General Manager at Tsongas Center explained the process of planning concerts and how influential the Tsongas Center’s relationship to UMass Lowell and its students are.

In the past Lowell has hosted some big name artists like, Hunter Hayes, Panic! At The Disco, Krewella, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, and of two Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball’s featuring: Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, LMFAO, Pitbull, Joe Jonas, Sammy Adams, along with, Katy Perry, B.O.B, Enrique Iglesias, Shontelle, Jay Sean, Taio Cruz, and Selena Gomez. The Jingle Ball used to be hosted at the Tsongas until capacity became filled each year. Keith Vaske said, “We hosted the Jingle Ball twelve years straight. They got so big adding all the major artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and so they needed double capacity.” This explains why other venues, like T.D Garden are sought after.

Student’s are able to help organize concerts through “ACE,” which is the Association for Campus Events. Vaske said that there is a box office in UCrossing where you can show your student I.D to get discounted tickets. Upon visiting tsongascenter.com, you can receive tickers about concert presale tickets. “We always enjoy when those student concerts come through, students get access behind the scenes.” Said Keith Vaske.

Vaske said that students should expect Chris Young and Kane Brown during the spring time along with some other shows brewing. A variety of college students express an eager interest in country music. The Tsongas typically tries to cater to student preferences. “Concerts are geared toward students, student’s families, whoever that might be. That’s one of the main focuses. Our goal really between athletics, campus events, convocation, career fair, etc, is to really drive into the student body to understand this is their building and this here is for them.”

Vaske and Harris work with 140 + buildings around here and up in Canada that they manage. Including the Amherst Ryan Center at URI. “We have a good relationship with college students and are able to have that conversation regarding college shows.” Said Vaske. Some important factors include working with promoters, staying connected to the university, meeting regularly with the student activity board, and discovering what the next hot ticket will be.

Students believe that school-hosted concerts are a unique opportunity to bring the student body together and let loose, not having to worry about classes. Shantel Vigliotta, a finance major said, “Some of the concerts have had major artists which is cool. But it’s also a great opportunity to hang out with peers and mingle in a non academic setting.”