To help relieve some of the tension that comes along with the end of each semester, Northern
Arts and Entertainment is bringing the musical act Big Gigantic to campus.
Big Gigantic combines live instruments to create an electronic sound. The concert will be
Thursday, April 26 at 7:30p.m. in the Vandament Arena.
“Students can see it as a break before the stress and mayhem to help them get through finals
week,” said NAE president, Sarah Leissring. “Not to mention what a great way to send off the
winter semester with your friends.”
Leissring, a senior majoring in Sports Science said that the acts NAE brings to perform at NMU
are based on student-feedback.
“It’s incredibly important to us to try to reach every demographic of students,” Leissring
said. “NAE always tries to listen to the students to see what they want on campus.”
Leissring said that electronic music is a growing trend in the NMU and Marquette communities,
which is why Big Gigantic was chosen.
NAE members gain experience organizing each aspect of the performances that come to NMU.
“I’ve always loved music and find NAE an amazing break from the world of science I tend to
live in,” Leissring said. “Learning how to put on large events to the scale that we do are skills
members can take with them far beyond NMU.”
Leissring said the organization faces challenges planning the talent’s route, setting up venues and
obliging power, sound, and lighting companies.
“In the end it’ll all be worth it for a great show,” Leissring said.
In the past NAE has brought concerts like Mayday Parade and Third Eye Blind, but the
organization does not limit itself only to musical acts. In March NAE brought Performance
Painter David Garibaldi and in 2011 the group featured comedian Craig Robinson with Platform
Personalities.
Later this year, Big Gigantic is booked to play at various music festivals throughout the country.
These include Wakarusa in Ozark, Ark., Electric Forest in Rothbury, Mich., and Bonnaroo in
Manchester, Tenn.
Leissring said this concert will be different from any previous performances at NMU and NAE
members are excited about the change.
“We have a really great opportunity to try out a new genre which already has a ton of support on
campus,” said Leissring. “Big Gigantic and the show has such a great fun atmosphere.”
More information about Big Gigantic can be found on their website: http://www.biggigantic.net/
Tickets are $10 for students and are $15 to the general public. Tickets are on sale at all NMU
Ticket Outlets located at the Superior Dome, the NMU Bookstore, and the Forest Roberts
Theatre. Tickets are also available online at www.nmu.edu/tickets or by calling (906) 227-
1032.
