UNT to host Eagle Ears Music Festival

by Kip Mooney of North Texas Daily

DENTON — Rappers, funk groups and singer-songwriters will all get their moment in the sun at the upcoming Eagle Ears Music Festival.

"I didn't want to limit students to Eagle Idol and Battle of the Bands," said Candace Bagwell, a journalism graduate student and vice president of campus relations for the University Program Council. "I wanted to showcase their talents outside those genres."

She said the festival is different from both of those events because there is no competition and it allows for a wider variety of musicians to perform.

"It encompasses all the competitions and every genre," said Britney Darnell, an electronic news junior and vice president of the hot topics committee.

The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and Bagwell said she thinks the timing couldn't be better.

"We wanted to hold it while it was still warm outside," Bagwell said. "Students can relax outside before midterms."

Bagwell said she also wanted to allow music students to perform outside of class.

"The school has a good music program," Bagwell said. "I wanted students to show their talent outside of the curriculum."

Participants were required to submit an application either electronically or at the University Program Council office in the University Union and include either a link to their MySpace page or a physical demo via MP3, CD or cassette. Live auditions could also be arranged.

"Most people gave us their MySpace," Bagwell said. "So far we've received 27 applications."

The festival is not limited to NT students, but at least one performer from the group must be a student or alumnus.

In addition to taking applications, Bagwell recruited performers who had competed in past on-campus musical events and other local groups.

"I went to mydentonmusic.com, which has a calendar of all these local bands and a link to their MySpace page," Bagwell said. "I contacted them and let them know about the festival."

The lineup will be determined by Friday and is based on time allotted for the event, but Bagwell said she hopes to have as many varied acts as possible.

"Right now we're looking at every half hour," Bagwell said. "Because of time we've limited the number of artists, but we want to feature all genres."

Between sets at the festival a disc jockey will perform and student organizations will sponsor games.

"There will be community service organizations, interest organizations and greek organizations," Bagwell said. "We're still taking applications for student organizations."

The Eagle Ears stage will be set up in front of the Administration Building.

"Bring your lawn chairs, comforters and blankets," Bagwell said. "Don't be afraid to come out and bring your water guns."

Both Bagwell and Darnell said they hope the event will keep people in Denton.

"We're always hoping to tie in the entire student body and get the commuters," Darnell said.

Bagwell said she thinks this is the event to do just that.

"It's somewhere to sit back and relax and enjoy good music," she said. "You'll hear these cool local artists who are more talented than some of these nationally recognized acts that are getting recording contracts."