Plus One concerts to bring new acts

Slacking off in college might not be applauded, but the Carolina Union Activities Board is still celebrating the hip-hop duo The Underachievers as the board kicks off its new monthly concert series, “Plus One,” today.

The series, which features a student deal of two tickets for $5, is the result of CUAB’s efforts to more consistently host shows throughout the year. The shows are slated to be held monthly, with the first show featuring The Underachievers.

Gabe Chess, music chair for CUAB, said not every concert is going to feature an act that people on campus have heard of because of the budget they have to stick to.

But he said he hopes students will come anyway and discover new bands they might like.

“Students should come to these shows because they give you a real chance to see something new and interesting that might really catch your attention,” he said.

Chess said he hopes the inexpensive ticket prices will encourage students to go to the concerts.

“With tickets being so cheap at $5 for two tickets for students, we made it a low-risk thing — you can go see a new concert without making a huge investment,” he said.

“And this way we hope people would encourage their friends to come see new shows.”

Chess said to encourage students to go to the concerts and see artists they may not have heard of, CUAB created the “Plus One” brand, hoping people would begin to trust that the series has good shows.

To help market the concerts, CUAB partnered with the Student Union’s marketing and design department and student radio station WXYC, Chess said.

He said the Union’s design services came up with a logo and helped CUAB develop the look for the series. He said they also helped create the advertising plan.

Caroline Pate, promotions manager for WXYC, said CUAB and the radio station have partnered together numerous times in the past.

Pate also said WXYC has good relationships with musical artists, and she hopes they will be able to incorporate those acts into the concerts.

Lauren Sacks, the Union’s assistant director for student learning and activities, said it is exciting for students to come to the concerts because they might find a new favorite artist.

“Certainly the bands that are a part of the Plus One series some people are familiar with, but they are not by any means mainstream bands,” she said. “But these artists are really talented performers who just don’t have the name recognition.”

Chess said the concerts are conveniently located on campus.

He also said that the series will feature a wide variety of genres — not just hip-hop.

Pate said she is excited to see The Underachievers for the first concert because they represent fresh, up-and-coming hip-hop.

She said students should come out to see them because they could be the next big act.

“It’d really be a shame to see students pass this up because the band is somebody they don’t know really well,” she said.

Sacks shared Pate’s enthusiasm.

“I’m excited to discover some new music myself.”

arts@dailytarheel.com