Students and faculty weigh in on which artists they would most like to see come to Vanderbilt's 2009 Rites of Spring music festival.
Alex Kuley, '10, WRVU DJ
1. Franz Ferdinand: An alternative act with mainstream success that would provide a lot of energy as a headliner.
2. Vampire Weekend: What about this preppy, Ivy-League band isn't made for Vanderbilt?
3. Santogold: A dance-oriented singer in the mold of M.I.A. who would be tons of fun live.
Sam Daddeh, '11, Pi Kappa Alpha DJ
1. MGMT: Currently one of the hottest bands around. There's a lot of buzz around them, and rightfully so.
2. Third Eye Blind: Everyone loves some nostalgia from their elementary school days.
3. Bon Jovi: One of the greatest and most successful bands of all time. Truly legendary.
AJ Ogilvy, '11, basketball player
1. All Time Low: This pop-punk band from Maryland is known for its intense live shows that get the crowd really involved. Its catchy, up-beat music is really fun to listen to - the track "Dear Maria, Count Me In" is a good place to start.
2. We The Kings: This group's live show is amazing, and they really love audience participation. Their popular single "Check Yes Juliet" has helped raise the band to stardom. If you don't know it, check it out.
3. Every Avenue: Rites would be the perfect show for this Michigan band. They make really great music that's very worth listening to - check out their single "Where Were You."
Daniel Novick, '09, campus musician
1. Cake: I saw these guys live in Memphis a few years ago, and they put on a great show. On top of their great set list, which includes both their own unique original material and some very interesting covers, they have a fantastic stage presence.
2. Franz Ferdinand: Intensity, passion, driving beats, great grooves, hooky guitar parts, catchy lines that make the audience want to sing along. ... Everything about this band makes them amazing and a raging choice for this year's Rites.
3. North Mississippi Allstars: Being from Memphis, I grew up listening to the bluesy, rockin' grooves of this power trio. Lead guitarist Luther Dickinson has been on tour with the Black Crowes the last year or so and is even more amazing as a frontman with the Allstars.
Sean Tierney, '09, Editor Emeritus of The Slant, resident funny guy
1. Wilco: Because Coldplay would bankrupt VPB, I can see Iron & Wine this
semester, and Fleetwood Mac is past retirement. Oh yeah, and it's Wilco.
2. Cave Singers: Their folksy music has early-evening-beer-on-Alumni-Lawn written all over it, and this gives me more street cred among overly image-conscious indie types than requesting Vampire Weekend would.
3. Ambulance LTD: Their album "LP" has stayed in my rotation throughout college.
Jen Gunderman, history of rock professor
1. Neil Young: Because I am humiliated to admit that I've never seen him live, although he's one of my all-time favorites.
2. AC/DC: Because I was not online during the four minutes that they sold out their January show at the Sommet Center, *$#%!
3. Bettye Lavette: Because this great lady of soul will knock your socks off.
Laura Picard, '12, Versus music writer/token freshman
1. Sufjan Stevens: Perhaps playing at Rites 2009 will inspire him to come up with a new album for his stunted 50 states project. I can see it now: Come on! Feel the ... Tennessee ...
2. Polysics: Polysics is a Japanese "technicolor pogo punk" band - I like to think of them as a reincarnation of Devo on crack. They rock hard, play loud and make broken English endearing. The real question should be: Why wouldn't you want them at Rites of Spring?
3. The Ting Tings: They're cute, they're fun and their beats make it impossible not to dance along. A word of caution: Prolonged exposure to Ting Tings tunes may cause you to keep dancing, even after the show's over and there's no music playing. Side effects include embarrassment, sore legs and irrepressible laughter.
Jonny Snider, '10, former Music Group member
1. Girl Talk: I've always been a huge fan. Girl Talk is performing in Nashville next week but still a great addition to any concert as one of the great mash-up artists of our time.
2. Seu Jorge: Would be great for a mellow afternoon slot. He does David Bowie covers in Portuguese - probably one of the chillest-sounding artists around.
3. The Flaming Lips: Known not only for their music but the quality of their live performances, which includes costumes, puppets, projectors and confetti.
