Stellar Spring Fling

Though the Concert Board's decisions regarding Spring Fling acts normally attract their fair share of criticism from students, this year's headliner is more than satisfactory. Busta Rhymes represents the caliber of performance students have been clamoring for in years past, while all too often settling for lesser known artists or nostalgia acts.

The board is also to be commended for eliminating the first guest act, which frees up more cash for the other two. The first few hours of Spring Fling have traditionally been sparsely attended; it is simply a waste of money to pay a group to fill the late-morning time slot.

Instead of starting the event an hour later, the Concert Board should consider allowing another Tufts band (such as the runner-up from the Battle of the Bands) to fill in the gap. Though there might not be a great turnout, it wouldn't be much of a logistical problem and would expose more students to Tufts musicians.

In another clever move, Spring Fling organizers have moved the location of the stage from behind Gifford House to along Professor's Row. The new site is ideal -- it will now resemble an amphitheater layout -- and should make the performance area the focal point of the event.

As great as Busta Rhymes is, the board could still have done better in its other musical selection. Reel Big Fish enjoyed modest success in the late 90s before disappearing back into obsolescence shortly after. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (especially given the Spring Fling budget), but the real problem is that the band first played here during its heyday three years ago.

Current seniors are essentially seeing an encore performance, and Concert Board should strive to avoid this in the future. But all things considered, the organization did an exemplary job this year.