Major Lazer has backed out of a second College performance, canceling its concert over Green Key weekend. While Programming Board has secured another artist to perform alongside rapper ASAP Rocky, the organization cannot release the name, as contracts are still being negotiated.
"We were told that Major Lazer's label has obligated the group to accept a last-minute commitment in France if they wished to avoid getting dropped from the label," concert director Angilique Coleman '13 said in an email. "In about two to three days, we were challenged with the task of finding and locking in another artist to perform alongside ASAP Rocky. This task has not been easy, but we did it."
Programming Board previously scheduled Major Lazer to perform this fall, but the group faulted on a signed contract due to scheduling conflicts. The organization negotiated a contract this spring stipulating that payment would be provided only after a performance at the College.
"We spoke to their agent directly, and we made them aware that we were wary about them canceling," Programming Board chair Alex Martin '13 said. "We made sure things were safe on our side, and that's why we're in the position to book a second artist."
Programming Board booked two artists at "the top of their fields" to ensure a high quality performance, Martin said.
A list of tour dates on Major Lazer's website does not include a performance at the College on May 17. Major Lazer is currently touring Europe, with a concert in Berlin scheduled for May 16. The group will not return to the U.S. until a show in Las Vegas on June 22.
"I'm particularly disappointed because I've seen them a couple times in the U.K.," Max Hannam '16 said. "I like all the other artists coming, but Major Lazer was definitely the performance I was most looking forward to."
Despite the cancellation, Programming Board is excited to welcome ASAP Rocky to campus, Martin said. His latest release, "Long.Live.ASAP," was hailed by Pitchfork as "a triumph of craft and curation."
"ASAP Rocky is definitely at the top of his field in terms of rap and hip hop," Martin said. "He's easily one of the fastest rising new artists in hip hop."
While he wishes he could have seen Major Lazer perform live, Ben Hawley '16, who has never seen the group before, said he still wanted to attend the concert to see ASAP Rocky.
"ASAP Rocky is one of the premiere draws of the weekend, and a lot of people are excited," Hawley said.
The Programming Board concert, which will be held on Gold Coast lawn, is the first large-scale event Programming Board has hosted since Avicii performed in the Class of 1953 Commons last winter. Students said they enjoyed the performance, though some were upset by the limited number of available tickets.
Greek houses will also hold concerts and events over Green Key weekend. Psi Upsilon fraternity will welcome rapper Afroman to campus, and Chi Gamma Epsilon Fraternity will host Baauer, whose song "Harlem Shake" inspired a string of viral videos.
