Until a few days ago, I thought I would be going abroad in the spring. Things sort of fell apart, as they are so wont to do, and now it doesn't look like that'll be happening. This means I'll be around for Movin' On '08.

I have very little idea of how the Movin' On committee chooses its acts, but from what I can gather, it works out something like this:

Half of the performers are local bands, winners of a battle of the bands. These bands play for free. The other acts are national acts. The headliner gets about half of Movin' On's money, and the other acts get the rest. This is a logical structure.

With the money the school gives them and the money they raise from sponsors, Movin' On has a lot of cash to throw around. I won't say just how much, because I'm only partially sure of the figures, and because I think they were told to me off the record. Suffice it to say it's a lot of money, and they can bring in acts to please just about any niche.

Here's my plea: Bring in acts for people that will care about music, people that will show up. Last year, though it didn't rain too much, it was overcast all day and few people turned out for the show. Maybe they would have if it were nicer out, and maybe they wouldn't have because, aside from Piebald, it was a pretty weak lineup. Some of the best local bands weren't even invited to the battle of the bands, and the national acts were rather uninspiring.

Maybe there are still nu-metal fans in State College, but as evidenced by last year, not more than a half dozen will come out to see a band they've never heard of. Phantom Planet was actually halfway decent, and they drew a big crowd, but most of those people came out solely for the headliner. Further, for what they paid Phantom Planet, they assuredly could have gotten a much better band, all due respect.

Basically, as someone who had to stand through the duration of the festival last year, I saw a lot of things that could have been improved. I know their job isn't just to please me, but the fact is, the casual music fan isn't going to come out for most of the supporting musicians. The people who will deserve to see better.

Now that I actually care about this year again, please don't screw it up.