B.o.B and New Boyz concert ticket price reduced due to lack of sales

The price for tickets for B.o.B and New Boyz tickets is changing after fewer tickets were sold than Program Board expected.

Program Board Public Relations Chairwoman Nicole Murawski said although students appear to be interested in the concert, the bleacher seats are not selling as expected.

To make that happen, the Port Austin senior said Program Board featured a ticket price reduction to $5 on Friday. More than 100 tickets were sold that day, she said. Program Board is also having a $5 sale today after 5 p.m. Students can purchase tickets online or at the Events Center Box Office. Ticket prices were reduced from $12, $15, $20 or $25, depending on seating to $5 Friday.

“The floor tickets are completely sold out, so (fans) want to be there,” she said.

As of Sept. 17, 1,800 tickets were sold.

Hip-hop artist B.o.B and rap group New Boyz are set to take the stage on Friday at the Events Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Murawski said she anticipates a full-house Friday night since tickets are now only $5. More than half of the seating in the half-bowl is sold, and she hopes the rest will sell, although fans seem hesitant to purchase tickets on the bleachers.

“People want to be on the floor since it’s a rap concert, but it can still be fun on the bleachers,” she said. “That’s why we wanted to sell them at a lower price.”

B.o.B is known for popular hits including the song “Airplanes,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top-40 in December 2010. His debut single “Nothin’ on You” reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. in March 2010. The New Boyz are also known for several songs including Top-40 single “Better With The Lights Off.” The group debuted in 2009 with their viral hit “You’re a Jerk.”

Program Board Concert Chairman David Grays said he decided on these performers to attract a crowd.

“We thought (B.o.B and New Boyz) would appeal to a larger audience on CMU’s campus,” the Flint junior said.

Frankenmuth senior Eric Cieslinski said he has recently become a fan of the hip-hop style of B.o.B and bought a ticket as soon as they were available.

“I haven’t gone to a concert in a long time,” he said. “I expect it to be packed, exciting and bumpin’.”

Cieslinksi said he became a fan of B.o.B’s second studio album “Strange Clouds” released in May.

“Needless to say, it has grown on me greatly,” he said.