Ever wonder why Classic Rock never seems to die? Most true followers are anywhere from 40 to 70 years old, and still rockin’ out to ZZ Top and AC/DC. Crowds flock to local fairgrounds to see their favorite artists or even cover bands of their favorite artists, to reminisce about younger days hanging out with your friends, carefree fun times when you first discovered the music.
If you’re in your teens or 20’s you may be rolling your eyes. But are you so different from the Class Rock fans?
About 5 years ago we booked a nostalgic act, Jesse McCartney, on three routed college campuses. “Beautiful Soul” had been a huge hit during college students’ formative years, and students seemed into it. Why? It was a name they all knew. He accepted, and immediately the trend caught on. More and more colleges caught wind of Jesse’s great live show, and shows were selling out left and right… in hours. The crowds of screaming fans were LOUD, and Jesse’s career was suddenly catapulted back into the spotlight. Jesse likely played hundreds of sold out college campus shows over the course of about 3 years. The same exact thing then happened to T-Pain. JoJo made a resurgence. Waka Flocka Flame became ridiculously popular again.
Why did these acts make a complete comeback via college campus shows? NOSTALGIA. It works. Whether it’s Classic Rock or Pop/Rock of the early 2000s, nostalgia works. This is because in our younger years, we are often funneled into Pop Culture, hearing as a bystander the biggest radio hits, absorbing them during our formative years. When we get older, the music choices we are faced with multiply tenfold, and it’s hard (if not impossible) to find an artist that almost everyone can agree on. BUT, when presented with a list of options, when students in a committee don’t know all the names on the list, at least they will all know the nostalgic names from their childhood. This also translates into ticket sales.
Right now, even during a time when campus events are mostly virtual, nostalgia is winning. Our most popular virtual events include actors/actresses from the High School Musical movies and Nickelodeon, virtual concerts from Lennon Stella, Bryce Vine, B.o.B and other artists that had their first hits right during current students’ formative years, and virtual Q&As with influencers that were posting videos online at the time when teenagers were just discovering the videos on their new smart phones.
Take note all, because nostalgia = ticket sales. You may want to look carefully at the Billboard charts and MTV / Kids’ Choice Awards from 10-14 years ago, because you just might find the next nostalgia-based college campus winning performer.
Jolene Chevalier
Founder & Talent Buyer | How To Concerts
Jolene has been a middle buyer for over a decade, helping colleges and others with their concerts, comedians, and speakers. (And, yes, she is named after the Dolly Parton song.) She would love to talk with you about helping to book, plan, and prepare for your event.
Jolene Chevalier
Founder & Talent Buyer | How To Concerts
Jolene has been a middle buyer for over a decade, helping colleges and others with their concerts, comedians, and speakers. (And, yes, she is named after the Dolly Parton song.) She would love to talk with you about helping to book, plan, and prepare for your event.
