Panic! At the Disco Hitting Erie, Behrend Campus

Rising from the ashes of multiple lost band members, critically panned albums and minor name changes, Panic! At The Disco is back and more commercially successful than ever. Now, local college Penn State Behrend has signed them to perform at their spring concert.

The band, known for bombastic live performances, has technically been around since 2005 and is currently being led by the only remaining member of the original lineup — singer Brendon Urie. Despite the band’s rotating lineup, they have collectively released five albums, starting with “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” and January’s “Death of a Bachelor,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 to the praise of critics and fans alike, according to the press release sent out by the university.

It’s not uncommon for universities to book high-profile acts to perform at their spring concerts, with Slippery Rock University presenting Fetty Wap this year and Mac Miller having performed at Edinboro last year. But to decide on this artist specifically, the committee at Behrend took into account their past concerts and student opinions.

“We put a survey out to all students in the fall semester and used that input to guide our direction for genre,” associate director of student activities, Lindsey Hopkins Hall said in an email. “In the past three years, we have had a comedian, rap and country, so we were looking for something outside of those genres.”

Now, with the band officially set to play at the Junker Center at Behrend, students from all over the Erie area will be able to see Panic! At the Disco for themselves, thanks to the work of a multitude of students at the university. “Ten students made up the selection committee for Panic! this year,” Hall said. “Beyond that, we have around 100 students helping in all aspects of the show, from setting up the hospitality rooms, to publicizing the event, to working behind the scenes the day of the show.”

Despite the extensive amount of work that needs to go into the show to ensure it runs smoothly on the day of the event, Stephen Orbanek, marketing communications specialist for the university, said that “we’re very excited for the concert and think it will be a great show.”

Regarding student response to the announcement, Hall had explained that “so far, we have had a positive response from Penn State Behrend students, so we are hoping for a sell out show ahead of time.”

With this being said, it seems it will be vital for those looking to attend to make ticket purchasing a priority when they become available, with multiple shows by Panic! At The Disco selling out in minutes so far this year.

The concert is currently set for April 22 at 8 p.m. in the Junker Center of Penn State Behrend. Students of the university will be able to purchase tickets for the event starting March 1 for $25, while public tickets go on sale beginning March 22 for $35. Students can purchase up to four tickets per student identification. These tickets will be available online at behrend.psu.edu, by phone at (814) 898-6171, or at the Office of Student Activities desk in the Reed Union building.

Britton Rozzelle is The Arts Editor for The Spectator and he can be reached at ae.spectator@gmail.com.

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