The new kids on the Block Party

Is anyone going to Block Party this year?  That might be a question you hear around campus lately.

After University Union announced last month Block Party 2012 would feature DJ Kaskade and alt-rock act Cold War Kids, some students quickly vocalized their displeasure for the choices. 

Past Block Parties brought acts such as Kid Cudi, Nas, Kanye West and N.E.R.D., so expectations for big name artists this year were high again. 

Featuring Kaskade, Cold War Kids and Phantogram

When: Friday. Doors at 6 p.m.
Where: Carrier Dome
Tickets: $16 for students and $30 for general public

UU responds to student reaction

The backlash surfaced on social media almost immediately. The Twitter hashtag #thingsidratherdothangotoblockparty started trending nationally and even globally within hours.

UU used this as an opportunity to promote the show. 

“Initial negative feedback toward the concert seems to have given way to excitement from the campus body.  Univeristy Union has done our best to respond to students' frustrations and will consider it for future events,” UU president Rob Dekker said. 

“We encourage all students to continue to voice their concerns and more importantly get involved,” Dekker said. 

Following the release of the opening act, Phantogram, they started a new hashtag on Twitter just this week, #nothingidratherdo to go along with the loot their giving away to students with tickets. T-shirts and sunglasses are being handed out with the hashtag on the back. 

Music scene around campus

Jeanette Wall, a student in SU’s Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries and founder of Miscreant Records, says she’s happy with the acts coming to campus.

“I think it's great that UU looked to an underrepresented audience when putting together this show," Wall said. "Phantogram is an excellent choice for an opener, especially."

Though she said she's not sure if it was the right fit for the entire student body, she's excited for the performance.

“I think there are more relevant artists that could have been chosen, but it's my understanding that Cold War Kids and Kaskade put on quality live shows,” she said.

Block Party acts

Kaskade, also known as Ryan Raddon, is a Chicago native. The New York Times called him the “new face of electronic dance music.”  Kaskade was just named America’s number one DJ after 10 years of being on the music scene. He played at Coachella last weekend. 

Cold War Kids, comprised of Nathan Willet, Matt Maust, Jonnie Russel and Matt Aveiro, are an indie-rock band from Long Beach, Calif. They’ve released three albums since 2004, the most recent in January, 2011. 

Phantogram opens the show.  The somewhat-local duo is from Saratoga Springs.  Made up of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, the indie-rock band uses synth and electro-rock styles. 

The hype leading up to the show