Even though they are suffering through an incredibly tight budget crunch, WBGU brings yet another show. The show is called WBGU Expo II, and is part of their spring semester concert series.
WBGU Expo II is a free concert that will take place in the Sky Bank Room in the Union from 3 to 11 p.m. It will consist of seven indie and synth pop bands, including: 3, Juffage, Between Home and Serenity, A Beautiful Smile, Oxymoronatron, Johnny Headband, Phallus Uber Allus, and Alex Merced featuring Tyler Jones.
Alex Merced, WBGU Promotions director and performer in EXPO II is excited for WBGU to have the opportunity to put on this show, as it looks promising to be a large improvement from EXPO I.
“Well the EXPO I had a great line-up, but a crappy sound system really hindered a lot of the acts and poor promotion. There wasn’t even a big crowd for Stylex,” Merced said.
This year, they will be holding the show in a smaller room with a PA system, Merced said. Three will be headlining for the show, who often tour with Coheed and Cambria.
But how exactly is WBGU putting on yet another free concert, when their budget is non-existent? Merced explains it’s simply for the love of the music.
“This show was done on a zero dollar budget,” Merced said. “The bands are coming to play for free. So I’m really hoping people come out to show some appreciation to these bands for doing so. I have to say for a zero dollar budget the scale and line-up of this show might very well rival Quadstock.”
Merced will also be performing in EXPO II, as part as a last-minute cancellation.
“After a few shows at Howard’s, I think people appreciate what we do,” Merced said. “But it’s really just a nice mellow way to kick off what will be any amazing show with such jaw dropping bands like 3 and Oxymoronatron.”
WBGU encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the free concert on Saturday. If this show is well–received, Merced said he wishes to expand the EXPO and make it a staple of WBGU by the time he graduates.
“Live music is something I feel everyone can enjoy, and I have tracked down some of the best bands I could find,” Merced said. “I’ve spent hours scouring bands all across the country for this line-up and you won’t be able to find a higher quality show for free.”