Behind the beat with WUD Music
By Brooke Appe
From smashing guitars on stage, to backstage breakdowns, musicians don’t exactly have the reputation for being a docile bunch. Professionals are often called in to handle the intricacies of booking shows, preparing for performances and managing the happiness of their performers. With a plethora of venues to host an eclectic mix of musicians, the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee uses their expertise to book, accommodate and interact with the musicians that make the soundtrack to the UW-Madison college experience.
Fun. plays for a sold out crowd at Union South’s Varsity Hall. Photo courtesy of David Michaels.
With the opening of Union South in 2011 came new spaces. Big spaces. Varsity Hall and The Sett have played host to many concerts, most recently hosting Grammy-winning group Fun in January to a sold-out crowd in Varsity Hall. That’s not to forget Memorial Union’s classic Great Hall, which just hosted popular indie band Ra Ra Riot.
The key with managing spaces is accommodating the band’s style. Deerhoof, an indie band from San Francisco, requested a more classical space for their upcoming show on April 6. The final choice? UW-Madison Music School’s very own Music Hall. Comedy favorites like the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, just did a show at Great Hall as well. The Rathskeller is also home to a slew of shows like Open Mic Night on Tuesdays and Behind the Beat, a jazz concert, every Friday. When summer rolls around, however, the Memorial Union Terrace rejoins that long list of amazing venues to experience music. There is nothing quite like a cold pitcher, a table full of friends, and a warm summer night full of music.
“I’m a fan of the Terrace not only because of tradition, but because the Terrace is the one of the best places to see music outdoors in the Midwest,” said WUD Music Director Nick Pjevach.
A band plays in the sun’s afterglow on the Memorial Union Terrace on a summer night. Photo courtesy of Jeff Miller.
Besides finding appropriate venues, it takes good timing and collaboration to bring the biggest performers to the Union. It seemed like destiny that Fun had an open date between Minnesota and Chicago that they were looking to fill. A middleman agent in Green Bay communicated between Fun’s agent and the committee to fill the date.
That is not the only way that artists are booked. When the music committee decides they may want someone specific, they get in touch with the artist’s agent directly. Sometimes the agent is looking to book and approaches the committee first. It all depends on schedules and availability. The paramount thing to remember is that students are in charge.
“With any of our shows, the students are the ones negotiating the contracts, prices, dates, and more,” said Nick. “We talk about it at committee meetings and do a group vote on who we want. It’s very democratic.”
When the artists actually arrive on campus is when things get interesting.
“We’re there the night of the show to make sure the band’s needs are met. From simple things like telling them where the bathroom is to stranger requests,” said Nick.
Los Campesinos! play at the Sett at Union South. Photo courtesy of WUD music.
Musicians usually come with a hospitality rider, a document outlining accommodations they would like to have made for their arrival. Some memorable ones include DJ Diplo requesting a gorilla and Fun asking for a copy of the WUD music’s favorite DVD to watch while they were touring. Rapper Kreayshawn requested a gallon of milk, while Parks and Recreation actor and comedian Nick Offerman asked for something in tune with his iconic character Ron Swanson: a meat and cheese platter. Sometimes simple requests even turn into the need for someone to transport the band to Whole Foods or Walmart, which happened to Nick with both Fun and Kreayshawn’s crew. One WUD Music member even had to hang out with a band’s lead singer at a laundromat for a few hours. And lastly, as expected in Wisconsin, some artists just want cheese curds.
“Astronautalis loves cheese curds as do most artists. It is the best way to settle any disputes,” said Nick.
Though often dealing with artists’ strange requests, WUD Music’s paramount concern is with student satisfaction.
“If students aren’t sure of what to do on a Friday night, we’re always an option. Whether we’re the first or last option, it’s all about student choices and what you do with your free time,” said Nick.
For playlists, reviews, and a schedule of events, take a look at WUD Music’s website.
