By Jen WiecznerThe Daily Northwestern
Alternative band Cake is “planning on performing” at Northwestern for this year’s Dillo Day on May 26, one of the band’s managers wrote in an e-mail to The Daily.
The date is also listed on the band’s apparent MySpace page and several other Web sites such as performance database CelebrityAccess.com.
But Cake manager Tommy Manzi wrote that the contract hasn’t yet been finalized.
“Until the contract is worked out, nothing can be confirmed,” Manzi wrote.
The band’s agent, Bruce Solar of The Agency Group, said he couldn’t confirm whether the rock quintet will be performing at NU.
“I don’t even know if that’s actually their (official) MySpace,” Solar said.
Communication junior Hillary Robbie, co-chairwoman for Mayfest – the student group that organizes Dillo Day festivities – said she could not comment regarding the possible Cake performance because university policy prohibits disclosure before all contracts are signed.
Cake’s five original albums are known for an eclectic style that uniquely integrates pop rock with elements of other genres from funk to rap.
Guitars and horns combine to create a twangy sound that is the undercurrent of deadpan spoken tracks such as “The Distance” and “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” as well as the band’s rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
The band released its most recent full-length original album, “Pressure Chief,” in 2004.
On its official Web site, Cake lists three other tour dates at colleges this month.
The Daily reported in February that three-time Grammy Award-nominated rapper Lupe Fiasco will also perform at Dillo Day, but the performance has yet to be confirmed by Mayfest.
Weinberg junior Jake Dreier said he thought Cake might be the biggest name NU has booked in recent years. Though not a “diehard fan” himself, he said the band would be a good choice for Dillo Day because students would know many of its songs.
“They are more diverse as far as the number of people who would be excited about them,” he said.
Weinberg sophomore Jennifer Held said a Dillo Day Cake concert would mark an upgrade from last year’s festivities, when Ben Folds, Little Brother, Mae and Robert Randolph & The Family Band performed.
“Ben Folds is a little tame for my personal taste,” she said. “I’m looking forward to (Cake).”
Weinberg and Music junior Philippe Treuille said he is also excited.
“It’s pretty sweet,” he said. “I can’t think of anything better than that.”
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