The Highland Pub Concert Series will take place at 8 p.m. on Fridays from September 15 - October 6 at SFU’s Highland Pub in the Maggie Benston Centre.
Fun. That one simple little word has always been a rather large issue up here at SFU. Remember the Orange Revolution campaign? Even in student politics that word carries enough weight to be the basis for a party platform. When you tell someone you go to school here, you are often slapped with comments that have something to do with suicide rates or space prisons.
Well, now you can throw those comments right back into their faces, because this fall the SFSS is putting on a kick-ass concert series at our very own Highland Pub.
Member Services Officer Glyn Lewis explained the student society’s three reasons for putting on the event as being, “[first], for students to have something inclusive on campus; second, it’s for the society to do something for students and make that connection with the society; and third, for some desperately needed promotion for the Pub.” Inclusive indeed, the concert series is open to non-SFU students and, despite that it will take place at the Pub, all ages. First-years, your high school didn’t have a pub, did it? So come on up for a chance to get acquainted with the Pub, without having to use your shoddy fake ID. To the rest of us who are legal, Lewis has this to say: “there’s still going to be beer, don’t worry about that.” The stage area will be all ages and beer gardens will be located elsewhere in the venue — phewf!
Taking place at 8 p.m. on Fridays from September 15 to October 6, the series will offer a menu to cater to all musical tastes.
Kicking things off will be mellow rockers Stabilo, who have been letting their casual melodies flow since lead singers Chris John and Jesse Dryfhout met in high school via a love for Dave Matthews. Holding things down on the hip-hop side of things will be local vets and Battleaxe warriors Sweatshop Union, hitting the hill on September 22. Led by Kyprios, a disciple of Swollen Member Prevail and trained actor, they bring jazzy beats full of stuttering horns, and a stage show that includes battles and spoken word. Looking for something a little harder? The Black Halos were at one point signed to Sub Pop, and have been featured on an X-Box soundtrack compilation. Oh, and the producer of their latest album has worked with Nirvana and Soundgarden. If that doesn’t peak your curiosity, I don’t know what will. Indie fans feeling left out should come to the series final night on October 6. Featuring Better Friends Than Lovers and playing host to a number of other great acts, the concert series is sure to go out with a bang.
Another notable act playing at the series is SFU’s own The Kitchen, who will be opening for Stabilo. I know you’ve seen those stickers on the #135 and now it’s time for you to finally see what they’re all about.
However, the Kitchen won’t be the only band representing SFU. While organising the event, Lewis sent out an open call to students requesting they send him CDs or websites with their band’s music. After receiving a rather decent response, he chose a couple acts to open for the headlining bands. Lewis wants SFU’s talent to know that their student society supports them, explaining, “Unfortunately they don’t always have the means to actually put something on, you know they’ll play the open mic and whatnot, but something like this is a great opportunity for them.” Political science major, producer, and MC, E.V. will be opening for Sweatshop Union, so come see what your fellow students are doing when they’re not reading about neo-conservatism.
Tickets are cheap, only $12, available at the door and at the SFSS general office. If all that freshly earned student loan money has gone to your head, you can drop a bit more cash and get any two shows for $20 or all three in September for $30. All that’s left for you to do is quit bitching about the lack of frosh week and remember that although not everyone may agree that SFU is particularly fun, most will agree that beer and live music is, and this fall your student society is giving you just that.