As the first week of the semester comes to an end, students can unwind with a free concert tonight.

The Wildcat Events Board is hosting the Wildcat Welcome Concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring The Electric Sons, an indie and electronic band hailing from Atlanta. The band will play at Geronimo Plaza following a pep rally in Main Gate Square.

“We’re trying to get everybody excited for the school year, and on top of that, get everybody aware of the Wildcat Events Board’s presence,” said Tyler Barrett, concert director for WEB.

WEB members will hand out glow sticks to those who attend the show. Barrett said he feels the alternative electronic duo will be a great fit for the board’s first concert of the semester.

“I believe that they’ll be around for a long time after this concert,” Barrett said.

He compared the band’s sound to that of the indie pop group Passion Pit, which The Electric Sons have opened for in the past.

While the concert is free to the public, the board is paying almost $2,000 to put on the show, according to Janie van der Walt, WEB executive director. With a limited budget, the board tries to remain within a $500 to $2,000 budget per event, van der Walt said.

The board holds free events for students throughout the year, including concerts, comedy shows and interactive events, such as transforming a section of the UA Mall into a water park, which took place last semester.

“[WEB provides students] the opportunity to escape the school hype and get away from studies and everything for a little bit and just enjoy themselves,” said Natasha Bodiroga, associate director for
WEB.

Some students agreed the concert provides a way for them to meet new people.

“I think it’s good for unwinding, and it’s still really early so it’s just really nice to have … a welcome thing like [the UA has] been doing all week,” said Ashleigh Orr, a veterinary science freshman. “Just like a fun thing everyone can do together.”

The concert also fosters more school spirit, added Alex Patterson, an undeclared freshman.

In the past, the board has secured headliners like rapper Jay-Z and comedian Seth Meyers.

This semester, the events board will be hosting a Mr. UA contest, Campus MovieFest and WinterFest, an event that will include an ice-skating rink on the UA Mall, according to Pauline Lam, public relations director for WEB. As for musical performances, the board will host concerts once a month as a part of its Press Play Wednesday program.

“This concert is definitely going to be a whole lot of fun. [The Electric Sons] are very talented,” van der Walt said. “Everybody’s going to be pumped up for the game and it will be a great atmosphere to be around.”

-Follow Mark Armao @MarkGnarly