A&O Productions is back on the ball.
Leaders of the embattled student group announced Tuesday that they finalized a contract with Wilco to headline the A&O Ball on May 2 at the Riviera Theater in Chicago.
Wilco, an alternative rock band founded in Chicago, released its new album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” on Tuesday to positive critical reviews.
“This is (Wilco’s) only Chicago date and it’s exclusively for Northwestern students,” said Sarah Alexander, A&O’s outgoing director of concerts. “The new album will propel Wilco to great heights.”
The show is open only to Northwestern students. Tickets are $15 and will be sold at Norris Box Office beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. Free transportation to the concert will be provided by A&O for all ticketholders, with buses departing from Sargent Hall and University Place.
“(Having the ball at the Riviera) puts students in a real music venue,” said Alexander, a Weinberg senior. She added that the concert can last until 1:30 a.m., as opposed to Evanston, where noise ordinances force a 10 p.m. ending time.
The concert is A&O’s first for the school year. The group has dealt with criticism for a weak programming yea. Last year’s concerts included Bob Dylan, George Clinton and Ben Harper.
A Snoop Dogg concert planned for April 11 was canceled after NU administrators raised concerns about security.
A&O had petitioned the Student Activities Finance Board in February to rollover winter concert funds totalling $98,000 to the spring to pay for the Snoop Dogg show, but administrators’ objections forced the cancelation.
For the 200 students holding a $50 A&O advantage card, which promised students free admission to three concerts, Wilco might be too little, too late.
Advantage card holder Jeff Deutchman called the value of his card abysmal because the only event A&O has had this year, a fall appearance by comedian Lewis Black, was free to all students.
“(A&O) sold us cards saying they got Bob Dylan last year. They need to get an icon,” said Deutchman, a Speech freshman. “They need to bring George (Harrison) and John (Lennon) back from the dead and have the Beatles play … or at least get Radiohead.”
But Deutchman said Wilco’s appearance at the A&O Ball is better than nothing. He said he hopes A&O will offer a discount on the card next year to current cardholders.
Dean Hanlon, A&O’s outgoing chairman, said if the spring concerts were not successful, then the organization would consider extending the value of the card until next year. But Hanlon stressed the practice of allowing cardholders to get tickets first is still an advantage.
“I understand there’s been a lull in programming, but it’s going to be an exciting spring,” said Hanlon, a Speech senior. “The advantage card has a history of success. We’re not going to let one so-so quarter spoil that.”