Update 11/12 2:07 pm: The original version of this post incorrectly implied that the ‘Jam For The Kids’ was an official THON event. It was not. Rather, it was a benefit concert hosted by the Penn State Marketing Association to raise money for THON. We’ve updated the post accordingly.

It actually disgusts me how students don’t appreciate good music at Penn State. We are graced with such talented artists, and yet no one makes an effort to get out and hear them. Excuses, excuses. The bands were awesome, but the attendance at the ‘Jam For the Kids’ concert put on by PSMA to benefit THON was pretty sparse.

Some Downtown Avenue opened the show with a Reel Big Fish cover (changing the word “beer” to “milk”, which made me chuckle a bit). Some Downtown Avenue played their last show in SOZO in the Spring of ’09 (because half of the band graduated), but they blessed us with their presence last night. They replaced some of their brass with an extra drummer and an acoustic guitar. I love me some ska music, and it’s very rare to find around here. They covered “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind, which made me happy, as Third Eye Blind didn’t perform it when they were here last month.

Caleb Lovely (and band) came all the way from Pittsburgh to woo all the ladies. He has a lovely(GET IT? IT’S A PUN) voice. But really, he sounds like John Mayer, and he respectively covered John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.” He also covered Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” almost perfectly. His originals are very catchy, and I was very content with the performance. He’s also an extremely nice guy, as are the rest of his band members.

I cannot rave more about how much I love Lucas Carpenter, both his music and his personality. I’m serious when I say you have to experience this man live. His CDs do him no justice. The crowd reaction is always, “Holy crap, this guy is awesome.” Always. I have not met one person who has said they do not like him. My favorite quote of the night by Lucas was during a song called “Try So Hard.” It talks about how girls shouldn’t be always flaunting themselves to guys when guys don’t appreciate them. He stopped mid song and said something along the line of, “You don’t need a North Face. Or UGGs. And when did it be okay to just wear tights? Ladies…you shouldn’t have to try so hard,” and went right back into song. BEAUTIFUL, LUCAS. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

The concert itself was amazing. But why there so few students there supporting the show? Don’t tell me committee meetings, because those are generally over by 10. Lucas played until 11:30. I’m not complaining, because I saw an amazing show, but I wish more students could have experienced it with me.

Photos: Melanie Versaw, Staff Photographer | [email protected]