On the days leading up to the Earth Wind & Fire concert, the Bryce Jordan Center will be filled with dense heaps of earth but little wind or fire.
With the Professional Bull Riders set to take over the BJC Friday through Sunday, organizers have only half a day to clear the area of bulls, dirt and cages before they can construct a stage for Sunday night's show with the '70s funk soul band.
"This is quite a billing and also a logistical nightmare on our production end," said Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing for the BJC. "Twelve hours after the event is over, we start assembling a theater. It requires a lot of work on our part."
The BJC staff will be constructing an intimate theater set up, which is "going to be a perfect venue to experience Earth Wind & Fire," Punt said. Previous BJC concerts that have utilized this set up include Allison Krauss, Hall and Oates, Guster and Broadway on Ice, Punt said.
Sunday's show will also include special guest Michael McDonald, formerly of the Doobie Brothers.
Although the event poses looming obstacles and challenges for the venue's staff, Earth Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White said he is excited for another kinetic and dynamical show.
"We have five generations of people that have come to understand us and see us for what we are," White said.
It is important to the band to maintain a high energy level, complete with flashy clothes and histrionic dance moves, as it goes into its third month on tour.
"This is how we started," said White, a member since the band formed in Chicago, 39 years ago. "Our music is highly energetic and it kind of lends itself to that."
Three original members of the 11-piece band are performing on the tour, including White, Philip Bailey (lead vocalist/percussionist) and Ralph Johnson (drummer/percussionist). As for founding member and former frontman Maurice White, Verdine's brother, he retired from touring in the mid-'90s after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Earth Wind & Fire gained recognition for being one of the first bands able to fill arena venues as well as one of the first to incorporate elements of R&B, rock, disco, gospel and a multitude of other genres. After recording 20 albums, the eclectic group has raked in a total of eight Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.
Earth Wind & Fire began its career signed to Warner Bros. and later Columbia, but is now signed to Sanctuary Records, a UK subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
Eight years ago, Earth Wind & Fire officially conquered the rock genre by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Verdine White said the band owes its continued popularity to the radio, YouTube and its most recent record released in 2005, Illumination.
"Us being out there has kept us relevant," he said.
Megan Waldron (sophomore-journalism) said she listens to Earth Wind & Fire when she's on the dance floor or doing homework and is looking forward to seeing the band for the first time.
"That's a must-see concert and I'm hoping to find someone to go with so I can buy my tickets," Waldron said. "It's going to be fantastic, especially since I haven't had a chance to see them live yet."
Mark Young, Earth Wind & Fire's publicist for the past six years, said the younger batch of fans "seems to be more intuitive with quality music."
The more youthful crowd showing up at shows is an example of that, Young said.
Though the band was scheduled to play opening night at the Democratic National Convention, it instead performed at the opening night ceremony of the US Open in New York. The band's music was still heavily played at the convention and the band was featured recently on MSNBC discussing voter registration, an issue about which the band members feel particularly passionate about.
"Young people need to register to vote and update their registration information," White said. "It's very important to be a part of the process."
Though White credits politics for allowing him the right to record and play original music, the subject has typically taken a backseat to core themes of spirituality and fantasy, characteristics that some fans find refreshing.
"Earth Wind & Fire didn't touch on politics or fear in their lyrics, and their music was never designed to emotionally clobber listeners," Waldron said. "They really, ultimately just made people happy."
Punt said the student discount provided by the University Park Allocation Commission (UPAC) has had a major impact on ticket sales. Tickets went on sale in June.
He said many students are familiar with the band's music, such as chart-topping hits like "September" or "Shining Star," but they might not realize it.
"People listen to their hits from 20 to 30 years ago and they still hold up," Punt said. "Their music has legs."
Young said the band's genre bending and blending have permitted it a global legendary status.
"Like I tell them, Earth Wind & Fire is more than just a band," Young said. "Earth Wind & Fire attracts across the board every age level and every walk of life. It's more than an experience."
When the band arrives at the BJC, it may not be able to contribute in the way of dirt removal, but funk and soul will likely be among its cargo.
"Some artists love us because of our songs, because of the brass or because of our live performances," White said. "We've been able to make our contribution to music, as well."
