The New Pornographers will hit the stage as this year’s Dillo Day daytime headliner on Saturday, May 28.
Mayfest made the big announcement Thursday night during the first leg of Battle of the Bands. The New Pornographers will be playing around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., Mayfest co-chair Michael Gebhardt said.
Gebhardt said they think the band is a good choice for NU students.
“They’re a great indie rock band,” the recent Weinberg alum said. “We think they’ll appeal to a broad audience. For us to secure such a relevant band is awesome.”
The New Pornographers formed in 1997 and have received critical and public acclaim for their full-length albums, and their most recent album, “Together,” was released in May 2010.
Like Gebhardt, Mayfest co-chair Chase Jackson said The New Pornographers have a lot to offer students.
“They’re a great live act, they bring a lot of energy to the stage,” the Weinberg junior said. “As a band, they have a really unique sound.”
After hearing the announcement, some students said they were excited that The New Pornographers is one of the headliners.
“I think they’re funky, kind of new, fun,” Communication freshman Anne Berkowitz said. “(It’s) a good choice for the Dillo Day spirit.”
Others were not as pleased with the announcement.
“I’m not super stoked,” Bienen freshman Julie Drallos said. “I don’t listen to them, they’re not the most played on my iTunes.”
Aside from the Dillo Day announcement, the night also featured sets from four of the student bands competing for a spot on the festival’s stage. The four bands that performed were Ashes, E.L. Cross, Mori & the Moonwalkers and The Cables. Battle of the Bands will continue Friday at Tommy Nevin’s Pub, 1450-1458, Sherman Ave., and will feature The Doug Kaplan, whysowhite, The Aurelia Trio and Cooper Carter & the Shadowboxers.
Hip-hop star B.o.B will be the nighttime headliner for the May 28 festival. The final slot in this year’s line-up will be announced Friday at Battle of the Bands.
Mayfest members announced Wednesday there will be a beer garden featured at Dillo Day, which students will need two forms of legal identification to enter.
