Summer isn't over until Matt and Kim say it is
Patrick Wood
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: News
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Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino have gained a reputation over the last five years as being a fun, high-energy pair that love to perform and love their fans just as much, if not more. Their performance at Parkland College reflected that.
While most artists would have cancelled their performances due to sickness, Matt and Kim did not, even though Kim was suffering from a sore throat Sunday night. Most artists that have a tour schedule as hectic as Matt and Kim's would have jumped on their tour bus and booked after a show, but Matt and Kim stayed and signed everything from t-shirts to pizza boxes for everyone that wanted an autograph. They seemed to encapsulate Parkland's accessibility and open atmosphere, lending an air of success that was reflecting by the numerous amounts of concert-goers.
According to Public Safety estimates, between four and five hundred fans turned out to what may be the first of many more free shows to come at Parkland College. The concert, which featured opening act Yea Big and Kid Statick, was hosted by Parkland's radio station, 88.7 The Wave. Station manager Eleni Kametas wants to make live music performances more common at Parkland.
"I thought it would be really cool if we offered shows, and we hadn't previously had any shows at the radio station so we decided to do it," said Kametas.
The selection of performers was key when Kametas was planning the concert. Matt and Kim seemed more than appropriate for the setting.
"I'm a fan of [Matt and Kim], and I just had a feeling that they were really going to blow up soon." Kametas said. "I thought that they'd be a great act to bring and I thought it was someone who we wouldn't necessarily get in Champaign-Urbana."
Although Champaign is outside the radius of many concert tours - having a home that is nestled a couple of hours away from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis - there is a thriving music scene that is usually hosted by places such as Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. Kametas wanted to help bring Parkland into the spotlight as another venue of music appreciation.
With all of the people that showed up at Matt and Kim, Kametas is positive about the future.
"I'm hoping that we will be able to have more shows. I'd like to shoot for one or two big shows every year," she said.
Kametas was able to secure funding through Parkland College, and received a lot of support from students, faculty, staff, and Public Safety. As the popularity of the Matt and Kim show grew in scope and size, the venue at Parkland had to change to accommodate the growing number of fans that were replying via Facebook, confirming that they were attending the event.
Parkland's police officers formed a bridge of teamwork to ensure security and safety for fans that were predominantly from high school and college. Some familiar faces were in attendance, including members of local band Elsinore and Common Loon, and President Ramage, who talked about the possibility of future concerts in league with the night's events.
"Before the show even started, I think the expectations had been met given the number of people that were here before the first bands even started," said Ramage. "I think that it's something that will probably continue at Parkland-bringing in as many big name (or) bigger name bands from the Champaign area that we can get in here and having these free concerts. It's a great thing for students."
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