Events Life + Arts Music

Students line up for ‘Heroes’ welcome

An hour before UH’s Student Program Board was set to hand out wristbands to only 1,500 UH students on campus at Lynn Eusan Park, a line stretched from the concrete stage through the middle of the park towards the Hilton University Hotel and down the sidewalk heading towards the Ezekiel Cullen building.

Students were in line to see New York rap-rock band Gym Class Heroes and Houston-bred rockers VerseCity for a concert produced by SPB.

The first group of students to get in line parked themselves on the concrete stage around 12:30 p.m. SPB wasn’t going to begin handing out wristbands until 3 p.m.

Nutrition senior Ola Aly, the very first person in line, found out about the event through Facebook and brought nine of her friends along.

“(Gym Class Heroes) are one of my favorite bands,” Aly said while waiting. “I’ve been to a Travie McCoy concert before, but I’m excited to see him perform with the band.”

While students waited during the warm afternoon, Anjuli Tuck, spokesperson for SPB, said the group was “just trying to keep a positive attitude and keep everybody excited.”

Students also helped keep each other entertained during the wait.

A student, who wished to only be identified as “J.K.,” went streaking past the line of Coogs in only his boxers.

“Well, I lost a bet to my friend yesterday, and so I told her that I would streak past the line of people waiting for tickets,” J.K. said before shouting, “Yeah, Gym Class Heroes.”

Minutes before the wristbands were handed out, an SPB representative took to the mic and reminded students that they must present a current UH ID card and that there were rules for the night: no purses, backpacks, recording devices, food, drinks or re-entry.

It was also noted that any damaged or cut wristbands would not be honored, which pretty much dashed the plan’s of one student who was overheard saying that he was planning on selling his wristband.

Health communications junior Jasmine Jones got in line 10 minutes after SPB began handing out the wristbands. The line was halfway down the sidewalk heading to Cullen.

“I’m praying (I get in). I’ve been in love with them forever,” Jones said. “I really hope I get in.”

When SPB finally began handing out wristbands, Aly went up to the cheers of the crowd. When she came down from the other side, she shot her hands up in triumph. Jones eventually made it up to the stage for a wristband as well.

 

Coming Up:

Look for an interview with Gym Class Heroes and a review of the show in Monday’s The Daily Cougar.

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