Organizers hope to avoid safety problems, interruptions

With new security measures in place, organizers are hoping to avoid the pitfalls that disrupted last year's Catfest.

Serious safety concerns arose last year, after students crammed into the mosh-pit, rushed the stage, and crowd-surfed, said Rachel Keller, the University Activities Board (UAB) director of national concerts.

A security guard interrupted the show, took the stage, and asked students to leave the pit, saying it had gotten out of hand.

In order to prevent another wild crowd, more safety precautions are being put in place, Keller said.

Specifically, there will be no mosh-pit, and Catfest coordinators are hiring more security guards to patrol the area.

Last year there were nine paid guards. This year's numbers are still being determined.

"Extra security guards are fairly expensive, but it is worth the price," said Keller. "The exact pricing on the new security is still being figured out due to the fact that costs depend on the company."

Funding for the guards comes out of the UAB and ASUA budget.

There is also going to be a large number of volunteers to watch over students during the concert.

"We don't expect to have a security problem due to the type of band playing and the extra precautions we have been taking," said J.P. Benedict, president of ASUA.

Andy Hersey will be opening up for the local band Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Both groups are known for their rock-country sound and not for activities such as moshing.

Students do not seem fazed by the new security measures because of the type of music chosen.

"It's country music so what would they need the pit for," said Ryan Anderson, a microbiology senior.

The band, which has its roots in Tempe, will be able to bring in the local sound, Keller said.

"We wanted to have a different sound for this year's Catfest," she said.

The selection of music replaces the usual mainstream pop selections of the past, Benedict said.

Concerts in previous years included bands such as Goldfinger and Authority Zero, Sister Hazel and Blink 182.

Catfest started in 1997, sponsored by both ASUA and UAB, in order to help welcome back incoming students. It now allows students an opportunity to get involved in school and get back into the swing of things, said Keller.

"I want to go (to Catfest) because of the social aspects and being there allows you to meet people, it's fun and it's free, which makes it more enticing," said Brett Stave, pre-physiological sciences freshman.

"(This year's Catfest) is going to have a feel good band and be a feel good concert; students will have a great time even if they haven't heard of the band," said Benedict.

In previous years, CatFest has been plagued by other problems that this year's coordinators are being careful to avoid.

Rain forced the cancellation of two CatFest shows in 1999 and 2000. This year the concert will be held once again in Centennial in order to prevent a rain out.

In CatFest 2001, the feature band, Eve 6, cancelled because the lead singer had developed laryngitis. They had not signed a contract.

This year, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers signed a contract, binding them to find a replacement band if they cannot perform.

Tickets for Catfest, which are free, will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Students can get two tickets at the Centennial Hall Ticket Booth starting today, as long as they bring their Catcard.

The concert is expected to have a full house so students are urged to get tickets as soon as possible since Centennial Hall only seats 2,456.

Doors open at 7 p.m. on Friday with the first band playing at 7:30 p.m.