Third Eye Blind "charms" CMU with first ever Homecoming concert
Alcohol also offered at McGuirk for the first time in University history
Students, alumni and nearby residents gathered to watch Third Eye Blind perform for the 2015 Homecoming Concert in McGuirk Arena on October 2, 2015.
With screams, tears and beer McGuirk welcomed Third Eye Blind to Central Michigan University's first ever homecoming concert. Patrons of all ages packed the arena.
“I think Third Eye Blind is one of those bands that really cross generations,” said tour manager Thomas O’Keefe. “We just did a whole summer tour and (in attendance) there were a lot of people who were barely children or just babies when the first album came out. They went back to rediscover (the music).”
John Hunter, owner of Wayside and organizer for the concert, said over 2,700 tickets were purchased and 3,000 people were in attendance.
A night of firsts for the university, alcohol was also sold for the first time during the homecoming concert. Evaluations will be made as to whether or not students can expect to see alcohol making another appearance at a university sponsored event.
CMU Police Captain Fred Harris said that student behavior will be a factor in this decision.
“We had a handful of high intox involving students tonight but (incidents) were very minimal,” Harris said. “We will have a post-meeting with all the stakeholders who we met with before (the concert) from URec promoters to all the different parties on campus and just discuss what experiences they have had (dealing with intoxicated students) as well.”
Incidents included general pushing and shoving which had to be broken up by security, and a runaway attendee who attempted to jump on stage during Third Eye Blind’s song “Jumper.”
Although not fans of the band, Thomas McElgunn, an alumnus from 1979, came with his wife in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. McElgunn said despite not knowing many songs from either artist, he and his wife were thoroughly impressed with the band's showmanship.
“I sent (my wife) the video with Dan LeFevour where he said ‘be there or be nowhere’ and so we came,” said the Novi native.
McElgunn’s brother and longtime CMU fan, Paul Mack, also tagged along. For the three of them, McGuirk selling alcohol for the first time was a “no brainer.”
“This is college life, it’s bound to be alcohol fueled. Just let the kids drink,” Mack said. “Get stoned and get smashed, it’s Friday night. Why else are you here?”
At one point was so deafening, the band stopped playing and allowed the patrons to sing “Semi-Charmed Life” acapella until petering out.
Many students said that although the beer was a bonus, the real draw was the music.
“We’re all about that 90s and early 2000s pop punk,” said fifth-year senior Logan Vermeer. “Hoodie Allen is a very real person and you get that same type of real talk that you do with Third Eye Blind. They performed very well together.”
Along with his friends Zac Sienal, Kipp Tremlan and Andrew Barcley, the group criticized the lack of choice offered to drinkers.
“They should definitely sell more of a variety, especially from more local breweries like Mountain Town,” Sienal said.
While expensive at $5 a beer, Tremlan said he would rather spend his money on a beer at McGuirk than anywhere else.
“While I think (the beer) is a bit too expensive, I think it’s good to support the university,” Tremlan said. “I understand that a lot of the sales (for beer) are going to the university and I’m fine with that.”
