The University Program Council’s Major Entertainment Committee held a virtual concert of Auburn’s The Brook and the Bluff on Oct. 27, 2020.
Leading up to the concert, the UPC Instagram page also announced a giveaway in which one lucky winner would have the opportunity to meet with the band virtually before the show.
Dalton Odom, junior in public relations, was the winner of this giveaway. He said he wasn’t sure what to expect with a virtual meet and greet.
“I thought it kind of defeated the whole purpose of a ‘meet and greet,’ but I had so much fun,” Odom said. “It was cool just to chat with a band that I’ve listened to for a long time. You still don’t get that experience every day.”
Director of the Major Entertainment committee, Julia Kern, coordinated the virtual concert.
“Major Entertainment’s virtual concert featuring TBATB – The Brook and the Bluff – was overall a success for our very first virtual concert,” Kern said.
She said there were some benefits and challenges that came with doing a virtual concert. One thing the committee had to do was book the band early.
“We booked the band in early September, and we were so excited to get to work with Alabama natives and Auburn alums,” Kern said. “Of course, we would have loved to have this concert in person, but UPC as a whole has had to be very creative in its event planning this semester.”
Kern said working with the artist through virtual mediums was a different experience, but she was happy with the concert in the end. It also was a great way for students to release from the day-to-day school work, she said.
“We are continuing to create unique experiences for Auburn students to help get their mind off of how COVID-19 has affected this semester,” Kern said. “I believe this virtual concert did just that and also provided some joy and entertainment along the way.”
Kern said she believes the virtual concert was a success.
“The Brook and the Bluff has a cult-like following in Auburn, and they definitely showed up to support the band, even if it was just through a live stream,” Kern said.
Elaina Eichorn, sophomore in marketing, was one of the virtual audience members.
“The virtual Brook and the Bluff concert really brightened my day,” Eichorn said. “I watched it off my laptop, and it was so good to hear them play live music again. I’m a huge fan of their songs.”
She has been to three other concerts of theirs and she said while virtual was a different experience, she enjoyed it all the same.
However, Eichorn said there were some aspects of live performances she missed.
“I missed being in the crowd with other fans; it was always really fun when everyone did the little step-touch dance to their songs,” she said.
Eichorn said this concert did have its bonuses though.
“They played two new songs, which was very special to hear before they released it to the public,” she said.
The concert did provide a music outlet Eichorn had been missing, she said.
“Overall, I’m so glad that UPC was able to get The Brook and the Bluff to Auburn and give the students something that we’ve all been missing,” she said.
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Becca Benner, senior in public relations with a minor inmarketing, is a culture writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
