FEATURE | Exit Stage Left
Matt Houde, zooTunes Staff
College bands around the Pioneer Valley are struggling to get noticed, and don’t have any help.
Each year, UMass’ University Programming Council has sponsored a “Battle of the Bands” in April. In 2009, ten bands competed for the top title and the opportunity to open for the Spring Concert on May 3. On Trak and Malato won the annual concert, and kicked off the Spring Concert before Lupe Fiasco, DJ Girl Talk and All Time Low took the stage at the Mullins Center.
The Battle of the Bands is a great way for local bands to attain attention, but that’s just one night out of the ten month school year. If students enjoy a band that they hear at the battle, chances are that they will forget about the band when they leave campus for summer break. If the University sponsored more events like the Battle of the Bands throughout the year, UMass bands would enormously benefit from it. Full Story
PROFILE | The Second Stage
Jim Lyons, zooTunes Staff
Springfield rapper and UMass student looks to break through in Amherst Scene
On April 8th Charles Gavin took the UPC Battle of the Bands stage with the confidence of a veteran rapper, although in the body of a 21-year-old student. Anxious fans awaited, judges grabbed their pens, and tension was almost palpable in the Student Union venue. Everyone seemed on edge, except Charles “C-Banga” Gavin. Full Story
UMass bands duke it out for musical supremacy
Matt Rocheleau, zooTunes Staff
Student Union Ballroom hosts Battle of the Bands, announce Spring Concert lineup
Around 500 college-aged students packed in. The unlit ballroom was buzzing with anticipation as they awaited a flurry of young, up-and-coming musicians to hit the stage and bring the quiet room to life. Huddled around a chest-high stage, some crowd members carried signs or banners to support their favorite group, while others ventured in undecided and hoping for at least one act to make their attendance worthwhile. When the first band took the stage, the suspense escaped the room as the crowd acknowledged the musical intro with cheers. Full Story
RELATED MULTIMEDIA: UMass Battle of the Bands: A Picasa Slideshow
Multimedia
The Iron Horse relives three tune-filled decades
By Matt Rocheleau, zooTunes Staff
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The Iron Horse: A Vuvox Slideshow
By Jim Lyons, zooTunes Staff
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UMass Battle of the Bands: A Google Picasa Slideshow
By Jim Lyons, zooTunes Staff
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The Calvin Theatre: A Vuvox Presentation
By Jim Lyons, zooTunes Staff
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Upcoming shows in the Pioneer Valley
By Matt Houde, zooTunes Staff
Prominent Venues around the Pioneer Valley
A Photographer’s look at The Iron Horse
Located at 20 Center St in Northampton Mass., The Iron Horse was founded in 1979 as a small coffee shop. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved musical temples in the Pioneer Valley. It’s personal setting means everyone in attendance is close to the band. The venue attracts a wide array of acts, from local up-and-comers to seasoned veterans.
Jim Lyons zooTunes staff
The Calvin Theatre: A Vuvox Presentation
Just off of Main Street Northampton lies one of the Valley’s bigger venues. The Calvin Theatre located at 19 King Street was once an old movie theater that has since been restored into a 1,400 capacity music venue. “The Calvin” as its affectionately known as, attracts the largest and most relevant acts to the Valley.
Jim Lyons zooTunes staff
