Purcell Pavilion will host its first concert since 2006 on April 27, 2018, when the Grammy Award-winning group The Chainsmokers will perform as part of IDEA Week, the University announced in a press release Thursday.
“IDEA Week is a celebration of the entrepreneurial and creative energy, talent and leadership that are reinvigorating the South Bend-Elkhart region,” according to the release.
One of the primary aims of the week-long event is to put “entrepreneurs, developers, makers, inventors, designers and investors” in contact with each other, and emphasize economic development in the local community.
Event director Nick Swisher said The Chainsmokers concert will play an important role in this achieving this goal.
“Including fun events, such as the performance by The Chainsmokers, is just one way to help attendees relax, unwind and meet other attendees,” he said in the release. “And maybe someone you meet becomes your next client, customer or business partner.”
The concert is just one event of many that will comprise IDEA Week.
“Other events include a comedy show by comedian Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias; startup competitions offering prizes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars; speakers; workshops; and a TEDx event,” according to the release.
The Chainsmokers were scheduled to perform on campus in February 2016 in a concert organized by Tilt, a crowd-funding platform. However, it was cancelled due to contract negotiation issues. According to a report in the South Bend Tribune, these disagreements centered on “a University policy prohibiting performers from having drugs, alcohol, weapons or armor.”
The Chainsmokers’ music spans a wide array of styles. Their first album “Memories … Do Not Open” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. In 2018, the group was nominated for both Grammys and iHeart Music Awards. Tickets for the concert will go on sale Feb. 9.
