Three Christian bands to perform at spring concert

    This year Pepperdine University and the Student Programming Board are presenting a spring concert featuring Christian bands exclusively. ?    Christian rock bands BarlowGirl Stellar Kart and Vota will be performing in their “Love and War Tour.” The concert will take place Monday March 9 at 7 p.m. in Smothers’ Theatre with a $10 admission fee for students and general guests alike. ?    “Over winter break we discovered that Stellar Kart was touring with BarlowGirl and Vota and that they were going to be in the Los Angeles area around March 9 Board concert chair Joshua Seale said. ?    Although the choice of bands in past shows— including Mae, Matt Nathanson, Ingrid Michaelson,               Switchfoot, OK Go, Jars of Clay  and Something Corporate— have not all been Christian bands, this year the show will only feature  Christian bands. ?    Some students are not surprised by the Board’s choice. If you come to a Church of Christ school you have to expect something like that freshman Jackie Ko said. ?    This year was a particularly interesting year for concerts because we received a grant specifically allocated toward putting on a Christian concert Seale said. The grant actually covers the cost of this concert so student funds can be used toward other events or toward a larger-scale concert next year.” ?    Although the Board decided to put on the Christian show for the good of the students’ funds and future events some students are still apprehensive about the decision. ?    “Everyone here has a different religion Ko said. Once you start forcing songs that have religious lyrics onto people you’re inadvertently pushing the idea of your religion onto them. If that was the case it would just become very apprehensive for those who want to attend.” ?    Overall students found balance to be important in this situation. “Some of that music is nice when it’s inspirational and not necessarily saying ‘love Jesus’ in every line freshman Vanessa Brogna said. Naturally I wouldn’t choose it. I’m Christian but I don’t normally listen to that music.” ?    “I wouldn’t listen to it on my own and go buy it but if it’s nice music and has a nice melody I would listen to it Ko said.  ?    For some students, the fact that the concert is only featuring Christian bands does not bother them, but the prospect of age appropriateness is troublesome for them. ?    I have no problem with them being Christian bands junior Shannon Emery said. Mae came last year— they are an amazing Christian band. Bebo Norman came fall of 2006; also an epic Christian artist. My problem with the choices this year is not that they are Christian bands; it’s that they are Christian bands we liked when we were 15.” ?    “Christian music is fine freshman Kristina McClendon agreed, but I feel that the Board should have looked into artists that are more for our age group and that have a more mature sound.” ?    Ko said there is more to it than music style. “Obviously any music they bring onto a college campus has to be college-appropriate Ko said. ?    Despite the bands’ typical appeal to a younger age group, the Board still encourages students to go to the concert and give their music a chance. ?    Students should research the bands and listen to their music and should definitely keep an open mind about it. It will be a high-energy show and will be a lot of fun Seale assured. ?  ?