Dillo Day is not the only all-day music event when Northwestern students get a chance to relax. There’s also Philfest, an annual benefit concert held in the memory of former NU student Phil Semmer, who died in a car accident in 2000 while studying abroad in Australia. For the past five years, Students for Environmental and Ecological Development (SEED) has hosted the event to raise money for one of Phil’s favorite causes: the environment. The concert is free, but SEED will collect donations to benefit the Rocky Mountain Institute, an environmental organization and think tank. PLAY sat down with Jeff Paller, a Weinberg junior and director of Philfest, to talk about the upcoming festival.
PLAY: How does Philfest embody Phil’s ideals?
Jeff Paller: He had a passion for the environment and for music — for having a good time in general. This concert embodies those ideals and tries to bring everyone together — bring the campus, bring Evanston, bring Chicago, bring music fans, bring environmental activists — all this into one time to rock and party.
PLAY: How did SEED choose the Rocky Mountain Institute as the beneficiary?
JP: Phil really loved this organization. He was hoping to work there, and this is where his family decided they wanted the money to go. It really fits with SEED’s ideas. as well. They work with the Environmental Protection Agency and other government organizations to get them to do things more efficiently and protect the environment.
PLAY: Can you describe the music of Philfest?
JP: It probably fits under the jam band genre. It ranges from bluegrass to funk, rock and folk. All of it is very improvisational and on the fly. They’re not a set sort of musicians. They go with the flow and how the crowd is reacting. This year there’s a big variety of music. We have Austin Atteberry, who’s a senior here at Northwestern. He’s opening and he played at Battle of the Bands. He’s a folk singer with this really cool voice. We also got Tripod. They’re a newer, young, fun, energetic band, funky, jammy, techno-y kinda, just groovy. Then there’s Future Rock; they’re unique, they keep their drummer right in front. They’re really a funky, jazzy kind of bizarre fun. I’m really excited for Shanti Groove. They’re the bluegrass band; they’re just really going to rock it out. Cornmeal is headlining this year. Cornmeal has played at all of the Philfests. They always come and they’ve been the opener for the last four years, and they just have a blast and get people going. I’m excited to let them play a full set and let them do whatever they want. They started the thing, so let them end the thing.
PLAY: What is one of your favorite memories of Philfest?
JP: Two years ago, Sam Bush came, and he’s this bluegrass legend. He kinda embodies it all. He played one of Phil’s favorite songs, “Girl from the North Country,” and it was a cool moment. Last year we had Particle, a younger band from L.A., and they played “Another Brick in the Wall” in Ryan Auditorium, and everyone was singing, “Teacher! Teacher! Leave us kids alone!” I always have a blast with the people who’ve been doing this for five years, and everyone is there and all of Phil’s old friends come and everyone is dancing around. It’s an atmosphere I haven’t seen much here, not even at NU concerts, which is really cool. People were dancing through the aisles. It was amazing; people were really there to enjoy the music and have a good time.
PLAY: What would you say to encourage students to come?
JP: See the real side of Northwestern and … a different type of music than you’re used to. It’s an atmosphere where nobody cares about anything. It’s a time for people to relax. Bring a picnic, bring your dog, cook, bring your grill, sit, leave or throw your Frisbee around. Take a break from studying and running around and just dance.
Philfest will be held Saturday, May 14 from 2-11 p.m. on the Lakefill. In case of rain, the concert will be held in Ryan Auditorium. The all-day festival is free, and all donations will be given to the Rocky Mountain Institute.
— Carrie MacQuaid
