Summerfest Head Helps UWM Pantherfest Book Artists

Pantherfest is getting some big help with its artist selection: The guy who books the acts for Summerfest. Bob Babisch sat in on a Pantherfest Working Group meeting recently to narrow down artist selection, as he ultimately deals with booking the band or artist.

After this meeting, the working group released another planning survey recently to narrow down the artist selection for this year’s event. Artists and bands on the list ranged from Chance the Rapper to Walk the Moon.

According to the initial 2015 planning survey, almost 67% wanted to have one artist or band perform. Union Assistant Director and Co-chair Rebecca Grassl said the working group was very open to doing this past couple years, but it has yet to happen. The past three years have been two performers. This selection comes down to the budget and artist availability.

“We have to get rid of all of the Beyoncés and Kanyes,” Grassl said. “But we do try to book something at the top of the list.”

The initial survey garnered many results that could be attainable like The Weeknd or J. Cole and the not so attainable big names such as Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and Drake.

Although Pantherfest is a one-day event, the planning for it takes place year round.

A large part of the planning process is based on the multiple surveys that get sent out through student and faculty email as well as social media outlets. According to Grassl, she hopes to have the first planning survey out before Spring break. This survey attempts to get an idea of what people would be interested in seeing at Pantherfest and what people’s preferences are on having one versus two performers.

Another survey is put out after to narrow down the potential list of performers. This year Grassl said a second survey might be sent out to narrow the list even further.

According to a meeting agenda from one of the Pantherfest Working Group’s meetings in 2014, many considerations for performers have to be made. The first is the type of venue. Some bands or artists do not play outdoor amphitheaters. The group also has to consider the tour schedule of the bands and artists on the list. If they are currently touring, the location of where they are around the date of Pantherfest is considered. However, if they are not touring, then they would have to be willing to perform specifically for the event.

There are other certain limitations too, like if a performer plays Lollapalooza in Chicago a month before, their contract does not allow them to perform in a large radius of Chicago after the event. Another consideration that is definitely being thought of more now is if the performer fits the University mission and the values of the event. Last year, people were concerned Juicy J did not meet this at all. Other considerations include if they have played a show in Milwaukee recently, general interest, and the cost.

The cost of the artist is not the only item in their budget. The working group also has to budget money to book the Summerfest grounds, transportation and preshow. Most of the budget is for the artist though, usually around $170,000, according to the Pantherfest Working Group’s meeting agenda from April 25, 2014. This money comes from the student segregated fees. $6 per student goes towards the event. The rest of the funds come from CAB and Student Association, if needed.

“The planning for the next year’s event starts early October, but sometimes it feels like the beginning of September right after the other event ends,” Grassl said.

Grassl begins recruiting members for the Pantherfest Working Group around October or November, as she said. Members of the group are appointed from student governance groups and the Campus Activities Board. Students outside of these groups can apply for “at large” positions, like the student co-chair position for example. Grassl said she hopes to have the appointed positions filled by the end of the fall semester, so that she is able to check eligibility of these members over winter break.

Come spring semester, the first meeting happens with the appointed student positions in attendance. As a group, they appoint the at large positions. By March, the group is officially set and they meet weekly from April to August until the event at the beginning of September. Following the event, debriefing with the at large group as well as the task groups happens for a couple weeks before the process starts over again for the next year.

To maximize productivity, the working group is divided into task groups. There is a task group for the street festival, patron experience, event support, artist selection, and marketing.

This year’s Pantherfest will be the 9^th annual event. The first year the event existed it took place in the Student Union. Scott Gore, the former Union director, started the event. According to Grassl, there was not much student involvement other than Student Association providing some feedback. At present day, there is a much more prominent student presence in the planning of the event and the decision of who performs each year.

“It’s definitely a much more healthier model, because there are many opportunities for students to be involved.” Grassl said.

Grassl said the attendance of Pantherfest varies, but it does stay relatively consistent of around 8,000-10,000 people. In 2014, there were about 9,000. However, there have been some outlier year highs of 12,000 and lows of 6,000.

This year, an anti-Pantherfest Facebook page was created called “Bring Pantherfest to Campus.” The campaign focuses on bringing the celebration to the campus. The page has 64 likes with a link to a petition. Grassl said the working group will be reaching out to them.

With the lack of a football team, Pantherfest is the only big event of the year. Keeping the tradition alive year after year is important to the campus.

“We realize we cannot please everyone in our selection, but we try our best.” Grassl said.