Megan PellegrinoAs the lights dimmed in the Dixon Center on Friday, April 17, a swarm of screaming fans greeted the headlining band of Campus Activities Planning Board’s annual spring concert, Mae.
The annual concert is one of CAP Board’s main events of the year.
Last year’s act, All Time Low, was a crowd pleaser, and this year’s Mae performance left fans and concert attendees satisfied.
“All the band members were really polite. They made this whole process go smoothly and were really friendly to everyone,” Cristin Joy, sophomore elementary education major, said.
The day began rather roughly when Mae’s tour bus broke down at Eastern University because of transmission problems, but the band arrived to Cabrini College along with their equipment by 5:30 p.m., with the assistance of transportation from CAP Board members.
The concert started with a performance by the winner of Cabrini’s Battle of the Bands, Pigs in Flight. Concert attendees were impressed with the bands performance and see potential in their future.
“I really enjoyed their performance and I wouldn’t mind seeing them play again. They were a great opening act for Mae and it seems like the band could have a successful future ahead of them,” Julia Sherwood, junior early childhood and elementary education major, said.
Person L, the band that accompanied Mae on tour, was the next act to take the stage.
Fans screamed and cheered as the band gave a satisfying performance and got the crowd ready for the headliner.
Mae finally took the stage a little after 9 p.m. as eager fans swayed to the rhythm and sang along with the lyrics.
The lead singer of the band made sure to interact with the audience and joked around about their tour bus misfortunes and Cabrini’s cut-throat rivalry with neighbor Eastern University.
After playing for an hour and a half, Mae took to the gymnasium floor, and took the time to talk with fans, take pictures and sign autographs.
The harsh warnings of the security guards to wrap the night up did little to sway band members and they made sure to greet and thank each one of their loyal fans in attendance.
“It was a pleasure to have Mae come. They were just really nice and a great act. The crowd really liked them and they were just very down to earth,” Genicka Faye Voltaire, senior political science and psychology major and CAP Board’s director of alternative events, said.
In between songs, Mae was sure to spread the word about their dedication to Habitat for Humanity and their new project to raise money for the organization.
Each time fans purchase one of their songs for a dollar minimum the money goes straight to Habitat for Humanity, and so far they have risen over $33,000.
“It means so much to us. This is our chance to make a difference,” Jacob Marshall, drummer, said. “If you have a vision to make a difference, it is best if that vision is lifted by a lot of shoulders.”
Cabrini was the kick-off to the beginning of Mae’s tour and the release of their newest record entitled Morning.
“I think it’s really great what Mae is doing for Habitat for Humanity. It shows that they’re not just musicians, but are really using their notoriety to promote a cause that they feel dedicated to. I would definitely buy some of their songs online,” Sherwood said.
There will be two follow-up records to Morning, which will be Afternoon and Evening.
They will release one new song per month and by the end of 2009, a full length album will have been released.
Fans can catch them again when they perform at the North Star Bar in Philadelphia on May 27.
