Fans of mainstream indie rock, rap, hip hop and experimental music alike, take note! Student Events and WBRS' annual Springfest music festival will feature indie band the Decemberists as well as supporting acts Asher Roth, RJD2 and Deerhunter.Said WBRS Music Director Jeremy Karp '10, "We picked bands we thought the students would like. We sent out a survey that got over 1,400 responses, and it informed our choices." Student Events concert director Amanda Okafor '09 added, "We chose the highest-rated artists that were available on the date of Springfest and could work best together. It was really important that the bands weren't too similar or too different and could perform well in a festival type of arena."

The festival, which will take place on Sunday, April 26 on Chapels Field, is traditionally a co-sponsored event between the chief student-run events group and the campus radio station. Like last year's Springfest, this year's falls on the morning and afternoon after the Junior/Senior Formal. This year's Springfest coincides with the action-packed performance day of the Office of the Arts' annual Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts.

"We're looking forward to Springfest taking place on the last day of the Festival of the Arts, for the opportunity to add an unexpected seasoning to a delicious dish-like balsamic vinegar and strawberries. Personally, I know I'll stick around for the Decemberists," Bernstein Festival Producer Ingrid Schorr said.

Said Okafor, "Springfest usually coincides with Bernstein, but the open format of [this year's] Springfest provides the option to roam the campus and enjoy everything that's going on, including Bernstein. I hope people can enjoy both activities that are set to occur that day, instead of having to choose one or the other."

As in years past, Springfest 2009 will feature a beer garden-a fenced-in area of the venue where those over 21 can enjoy free beer. This year's Springfest will also include booths from clubs such as National Collegiate Volunteers and Peers Educating about Responsible Choices. While last year's Springfest did not include booths for club demonstrations, juniors and seniors may remember 2007's "Sex Olympics" booth, care of Student Sexuality Information Services, and other demonstrations by clubs like Students for Environmental Action.

Another change to this year's program is the fact that there will be no spring concert in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center as in previous years. When asked why, Okafor mentioned a number of factors including increased costs for using Shapiro Gym as a performance space, the gym's abysmal acoustics and student feedback asking for more outdoor live music. "When we were planning the Nas concert, many people approached me and asked why it wasn't outside." She continued, "In order to save money ... I proposed the idea of combining both shows, and everyone involved seemed to really enjoy the idea," Okafor said.

Said Karp, "it's going to be way better than last year's-the bands are a lot better, the budget is bigger, the weather will be warmer," referring to last year's 40-degree weather when Springfest took place April 2 as well as last year's line-up, which included rock group State Radio, indie group Minus the Bear and ska act The Pietasters.