FSU seeks Falcon bands to serenade Forwell

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If you're part of a hip-hop duo, a punk trio, a barbershop quartet or if you do it all in a one-man band, there are so many opportunities to rock out on campus. With events like New Music Night and the brand-new Fanshawe Live, this school year is all about celebrating Fanshawe talent, encouraging artists and bands to get on stage and show fellow Falcons what they've got.

“New Music Nights this year are going to be spectacular,” exclaimed Kendra Sauder, the Fanshawe Student Union's VP Entertainment. New Music Nights take place on Fridays at the Out Back Shack on campus and feature “really exciting new music that students are super lucky to be able to have access to.” The events include a headlining band with one or two opening acts, featuring Fanshawe and local talent whenever possible. This year, Sauder is looking to put on more themed nights, such as hip-hop, harder rock and girls who rock, just to name a few. The first two nights will have an admission fee, and after that, students can soak in all that great new music for free.

Fanshawe Live is a brand-new program for this year — one Sauder is very excited about. It will showcase Fanshawe artists and bands in an acoustic performance setting. There will be five Fanshawe Live events at noon in Forwell Hall during first semester (October 4 and 18, November 1, 15 and 29), and Sauder is currently looking for bands to sign up.

In order to perform at Fanshawe Live, your band must contain at least one full-time Fanshawe student. Your band must be able to perform at least a 40-minute acoustic set featuring some original material. Your band must be available to set up for and tear down after the event. You must bring your own instruments and materials; the FSU will only the supply lights and sound system and will not store equipment. For more information and to apply to play a Fanshawe Live gig, head to fsu.ca/fanshawelive. The sign-up sheet has space for a link to your band's website, YouTube, SoundCloud or Bandcamp page, and Sauder made it clear that she needs to hear your band's sound before you'll get a gig. “If you don't have any music recorded or a video of you guys playing, get that before you apply. We need a way to hear what you're playing before we can (schedule you to play).”

Fanshawe Live is a paid gig, and while Sauder wouldn't disclose the amount bands would receive, she did say it was a “decent” amount of money. “If there are two of you, you're going to be fairly happy with how much you're getting.”

“Fanshawe Live is a great way for our programmer (Pat Maloney) to see what kind of talent Fanshawe has to offer,” Sauder said. “It also gives us the contact information for these students, so if there is a possibility of a band that a lot of students are requesting... then we know who to book for students.”

Other events coming up on campus include a DJ competition and the Fanshawe's Got Talent show in October. For more information about upcoming events, head to fsu.ca/events.