Page Auditorium has seen its fair share of performances in the past year, from musicals like Hairspray to classical symphonies to comedians of Russell Peters' caliber. But music self-described as "a robot making love to a tree" is unprecedented.
This Sunday, Duke University Union is sponsoring Get Your GLO On, featuring musical acts Ghostland Observatory and Flosstradamus. Front man Aaron Behrens and drummer Thomas Turner of the headlining band will stage a high-energy electronic rock concert against a backdrop of synchronized laser lights.
DJs Josh Young and Curt Cameruci of Flosstradamus will open for the show. Mash-up duo Flosstradamus has performed at major music festivals like Lollapalooza and South By Southwest.
Behrens and Turner's musical style is difficult to classify, with roots in rock, soul and electro-dance. Senior Vincent Ling, the Programming Director of DUU, acknowledges that Ghostland Observatory is not quite orthodox.
"Typically, we brought in a lot of music to Page that was all along the same lines: pop rock," Ling said. "One of our goals is to bring in a diverse mix of music to campus. Ghostland Observatory is more off the beaten path."
Along with a new genre of music, DUU wanted to introduce a different type of show as well. Ling describes the GLO performance as not only a concert but also an "experience," complete with lights and free glowear.
"It's not just listening to music," he explained. "We're going to see two artists going all out with a laser show in the background. It's really high-energy and fun."
Although distinctive in its electronic sound and large-scale stage effects, Ghostland Observatory is still relatively unknown. One of DUU's priorities, Ling said, is to present groups that are on the brink of becoming mainstream. Junior Amanda Marchese is pleased with the Union's stress on variety.
"Although I haven't heard of Ghostland Observatory myself, I do tend to listen to more obscure bands," Marchese said. "I'm always a fan of Duke trying to expose students to other types of musical groups."
As to whether or not Duke has a large audience for this particular musical genre, Marchese could not say for sure. Freshman Jeremy Cole, however, believes that the base does exist on campus.
"Even though Ghostland Observatory is more of a techno-based band, it has a similar beat to pop rock songs," Cole explained. "If that's what Duke students like, then bringing in a band like Ghostland Observatory is definitely appropriate."
Ling hopes to draw a huge crowd to Page on the Sunday but insists that the concert's success is measured by more than the number of tickets sold.
"Success is people who come away happy from GLO," Ling said. "[But] they're going to be more than happy-they're going to be blown away."
Get Your Glo On is Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. in Page Auditorium. Tickets are $16 for students, $22 general admission.
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