Lifehouse to play first outdoor concert at NCC
Since opening in 1999, North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium has seen its fair share of big events and large crowds.
Besides hosting the school's own athletic competitions, the arena has been used for everything from high school football rivalries to professional soccer matches to NCAA track and field championships.
Now, the stadium's résumé is expanding yet again as NCC officials prepare for multiplatinum-selling rock band Lifehouse to play the school's first outdoor concert Sunday night.
"We're trying to do more large-scale, fun events like this, so it should be really cool," said Ted Slowik, director of public and media relations at NCC.
For the school's first outdoor music event, Slowik said it was important to find a band that was appropriate for both the campus and the city. Organizers settled on Lifehouse, he said, because of the group's positive message and reputation.
"For a school like North Central College, it was important the band be kid-friendly and also appropriate for a city like Naperville," Slowik said. "Lifehouse was a good fit."
Since releasing its first major-label album, "No Name Face," in 2000, the Los Angeles-based band has captured considerable success. Its first commercial single, "Hanging by a Moment," was written by band member Jason Wade and was named the Most Played Song of 2001 by Billboard magazine.
After the 2002 sophomore record "Stanley Climbfall," Lifehouse released its third, self-titled album in 2005. The first single, "You and Me," spent more than 60 weeks on the Billboard Top 40 and was featured on popular television shows such as "Grey's Anatomy."
The band is recording its fifth album, set to be released later this year.
Lifehouse is the latest big-name act to grace the stages of North Central College, which has already announced acts like Gloria Gaynor and Boyz II Men for the 2009-2010 Performing Arts season.
"We're working with the fine arts department to utilize all facilities because there are a lot of opportunities for different national acts to play," said NCC Director of Community Development Michael Squire.
The idea to have an outdoor concert was discussed earlier this year as Squire and other campus organizers looked at the football stadium's available summer dates. Squire said they saw July 26 as a great opportunity to bring in a high-energy, family friendly act.
"I want to raise the exposure of the college," he said. "It's important to bring the town onto the campus and bring in people that can go downtown."
Squire said he hopes to continue to use Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in the future, possibly scheduling one or two acts each year. For now, however, he is busy preparing for what he expects to be a large turnout for Sunday's concert.
"It's the first event like this of its kind," he said. "We'd like to sell the place out."
Lifehouse will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Gates for the concert will open at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission by section.
The event also will feature two opening acts, The Lady Upstairs and Sleeping at Last.
Acoustic rock band The Lady Upstairs, which features North Central alumni, will take the stage at 6:45 p.m. Wheaton-based Sleeping at Last will play its Christian rock set at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at the NCC box office and online. Advance prices are $30 for stadium seating and $40 for field level. Tickets purchased the day of the concert will cost $40 for stadium and $50 for field level.
Lifehouse concert
When: Sunday, July 26; Gates open at 6 p.m., The Lady Upstairs 6:45 p.m., Sleeping at Last 7:30 p.m., Lifehouse 8:30 p.m.
Where: Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 S. Brainard St., Naperville
Advanced tickets: $30 stadium, $40 field (available online)
Day-of tickets: $40 stadium, $50 field
Seating: All tickets are general admission by section
Info: Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show