A shrunken budget, some rain and long, long hair

By Rachel Kennedy

Posted on April 29, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

Friday night was the day the music died.

It was almost Nietzchean: God doesn’t exist because the masses don’t believe in him. The music doesn’t exist if no one believes in the spirit of Bumstock.

This year the big topic of controversy was big bands or small bands. At 3:30 p.m. on Friday after hearing the first band-”Now is Now”- I had to admit the music was completely enjoyable, but there were only six people there listening!

The story is the same one told by the same people.

“Bumstock isn’t about big bands. Student Entertainment brings in the big names. This is just a nice weekend to kick back and relax,” said Matt Gagnon, Student Government Vice President, “This year’s a lot laid back.”

But there’s another story, and we need to point the finger at ourselves.

Local talent really is an effective way to bring the community together claims Scott Caton, Senator for Liberal Arts and Sciences.

But there was no community to bring together.

Arriving to the Bumstock field was a departure point for confusion.

Local music: Two men with long, long hair.

Brothers?

Less than 10 people standing in front of the stage (the total number in attendance). Two dogs, a huge black one and a tiny black one.

“A lot of students will come by at some point,” Caton said, hopeful.

Why the low attendance?

“It’s cold,” was the census from the event staff, security and fans.

But if Bumstock is such a strong community event, where was the community on Friday night? Are we a community that falls to a little drizzling of rain? Where were the diehards, those who will not be moved?

Some had the wrong attitude right from the start.

“Bumstock sucks; I’m going to go try and hit up some parties,” said Erin Drake, an 18-year-old Bangor resident.

Admirable were those who still were able to get into the Bumstock spirit.

“I pulled all the backseats out of my car so my friend and I can sleep there,” said Kathy Russo, 18, “I’ve never been able to get into Bumstock before. I’ve wanted to come for years, but they keep changing the age requirement.”

We, the audience members, the UMaine students, needed to pull our act together.

The success of Bumstock lies not in the ability of Student Government to sign the right bands. It is in our own ability to generate our own good time, together.

Years ago, students could take alcohol and drugs on the lawn and pass out to the music.

It seems as though an environment without these two things makes it impossible to be viewed as a “cool” place to be.

“[Allowing alcohol and illegal substances] is not a face the university should have to promote,” Caton said, “We’re here to promote student life, not to promote illegal drugs.”

Right on.

From last year’s $80,000 Bumstock debt, this year’s budget shrunk to $59,000. According to Caton, the comprehensive fees were right on target. All things seemed to be running smoothly, but barely any students were around to enjoy it. And it’s a shame.

“I’m going to be here all night. I don’t care if I’m the only one,” Russo said, “I’m going to park in my mom’s friend’s driveway and eat cold raviolis and granola bars if I have to. I love outdoor concerts.”

Touch�, Touch�.

Campus Currents: Bumstock