Ozomatli a wise choice for WILD
Despite some students’ misgivings, Team 31 made the right call in signing Ozomatli as the headlining band for Fall WILD.
Favoring them over better-known acts like the Nappy Roots and Murphy Lee demonstrates that Team 31 understands that it’s the performance that makes a great WILD, not a great name. “We decided that it was better to go with a band that has a better live show than one with a bigger name and a weaker performance,” said Team 31′s Co-chair Kevin Carlberg.
They’ve certainly learned their lesson from history. Jurassic 5 and Black Eyed Peas played an amazing double-bill in Fall 2002. Then up-and-coming, J5 and BEP energized throngs of students in the Quad. By contrast, Fall 2003′s WILD featuring Busta Rhymes was a disappointment. Though Rhymes was unarguably the bigger name, his show wasn’t as dynamic as the younger hip-hop bands.
It’s definitely a better idea to emphasize rising stars, like Ozomatli now and J5 then, over acts that have peaked or declined, like Rhymes or Better Than Ezra. Though there is a certain nostalgic appeal to Better Than Ezra or Live, being on top of the musical wave means that WILD will have fresh, exciting bands, which ultimately are more interesting than throwbacks to our middle school years.
It’s always exciting “discovering” a great new band and then being able to brag about seeing them before they were big. It’s an even better story when you add what you were doing the rest of the day. As far as this WILD’s stories will go, just do your drinking earlier in the day to get to the Quad early enough for Lee and the Nappy Roots.
Furthermore, Ozomatli’s eclectic style (they describe themselves as “Afro-Latin-and-beyond”) complements their commitment to social justice and progressive political action. Hopefully, they’ll energize students well beyond their 60-minute set, adding to the growing political awareness and involvement on campus.
Although, in the interest of political balance, maybe Spring’s WILD should feature conservative rockers. Just don’t even think about Creed-they’re definitely on their way down.
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