After traditionally holding its semesterly concert series at the Gargoyle, Social Programming Board moved this week’s concert off campus to the Pageant. The show featured Cherub and Washington University’s own freshman Zachary Alter (known as DJ Alter). The venue change was unexpected, as SPB had previously laid out at the General Budget Meeting this spring that it was looking to move to the Pageant in time for the fall semester. Despite the surprise, we at Student Life are glad to see SPB trying out new models for its programming. As we’ve said before, we love the Gargoyle, but the move to the Pageant still shows that SPB cares about innovation rather than strict tradition.

So, how did this experiment pan out? The Pageant, after all, is a considerably different venue than the Gargoyle. Not only is it larger, but it also lacks the musty, stale air that makes the Mallinckrodt Center basement so lovable. One of SPB’s goals was to raise attendance levels in order to improve the standing of the event itself and to bring down cost per head. However, attendance hovered around 300; well within the usual levels for Gargoyle concerts and certainly not pushing the Pageant’s max capacity of 2,300. But that doesn’t mean the move was unsuccessful. More attendees does not a good concert make. The quality of the artists and their performance ability is integral in the equation.

A band, for instance, might not be as interested in playing a smaller venue like the Gargoyle. Cherub, in fact, said as much in their interview with Cadenza (read more on Pages 1 and 5). Jordan Kelley, one half of the electro-indie duo, said, “It might make a big difference that [the show is] at a proper venue instead of like, ‘We are the school theatre.’ It’s a different vibe. They have a proper PA here.” Not only does it seem that Cherub was interested in the move to the Pageant, but the band’s interests may have pushed SPB to switch venues sooner than expected. Hopefully, that kind of thinking indicates that more bands will be willing to come to St. Louis if we provide an appropriately professional atmosphere.

To Cherub’s point, the Pageant certainly has more professional facilities than the Gargoyle. While it may cost more to rent, there are time-tested lights, professional sound equipment and general facilities already in place.

So this past week’s concert had its advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully this test round will be instructive in planning future events on a Pageant-based model. Looking forward, SPB is already working to make more changes. For instance, the programming group said they will focus more on student talent come spring 2017. That’s an admirable goal, as the campus music scene is underappreciated and underutilized. No doubt student groups will jump at the chance to play a show at the Pageant.

But a student talent focus may also run contrary to SPB’s other stated goals. Without a big name headliner, it will be increasingly difficult to draw a large crowd. If SPB is struggling to increase headcount now, imagine doing so with lesser-known acts. Lower attendance also means higher cost per head. Where does SPB make up the difference? Most likely with a lower cost per artist, as student bands cost much less than a touring act ever will.

Hopefully, SPB can strike a happy medium between student focus and professional focus. This semester’s bill, for instance, draws in music fans while also exposing them to student talent. Other incentives, like free beverages (in the past, shows at the Gargoyle have included this) or partnering with a nearby restaurant like Piccione for post-concert events, could help increase attendance under the new Pageant-based model.

If SPB can work out the kinks and focus its goals, the semesterly concert series could become stronger than ever. Just don’t ever bring Macklemore back to the Pageant. It didn’t work out so well the first time.