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                      Concert Review By: Jamie Bleck

 

 

MtvU Campus Invasion Concert Review:

 

 

 

May 2nd, 2008

 

University of Maryland

 

College Park, MD

 

 

 

 

After only experiencing University concerts through local colleges, Mtv's campus invasion at College Park exceeded my expectations.  It was more then just great music.  It offered games, free merchandise, and best of all, autograph sessions with the bands, except Wyclef.  After each concert fans were able to stand in line for autographs from performing bands which included Spill Canvas, Cobra Starship, Simple Plan, and The Bravery.  As each band performed and the night moved on, more people attended the show, and the bands increased in talent.  The Spill Canvas, The Bravery, and Cobra Starship performed well live and seemed to have a decent following within the crowd.  However nothing compared to Simple Plan and Wyclef.

Simple Plan put on a performance of pure hits.  They performed hits such as Generation, Addicted, Shut up, I'd do anything, Welcome to my life, and their current single, Your love is a lie.  Throughout their songs they encouraged crowd participation through sing-a-longs, and spoke one on one with fans in the audience.  Their voices sounded great and their stage performance really got the crowd going.

Whether you are a fan or not of Wyclef, I strongly encourage you to see him live once in your life.  This is truly a man who loves music and a good time.  Wyclef performed old Fugees greats such as Fu Gee La, Ready or Not, and No Woman No Cry.  Wyclef also performed other artists songs such as House of Pain's Jump around, and You can get with this or you can get with that.  However old classics performed by Wyclef was not the reason he put on such a great show.  Wyclef not only climbed to the top of the lights above the stage by the side rails, but got onto his bodyguards shoulder and performed in the middle of the audience and the bleachers.  Never have I been so close to an artist (he stood right next to me) but the ease in which he trusted himself to the fans and just rocked out with such enjoyment and ease is what makes him a great performer.

One piece of advice when seeing Wyclef.  If you are a Republican, or don't like hearing political views of others be ready for some of Wyclef's views all throughout the show.  Wyclef made comments such as, "You know Obama will be the next president," "Gas prices must be lower," "George Bush must get the hell out office, we need a new America" and "F**k Bin Laden." This was just another way to get the crowd hyped up, which worked, but was not necessary because his talent and love for music was a great way to end a day of music feeling excited and wanting more.