October 24, 2013
The dynamic indie rock band Grouplove, along with label mates Saints of Valory and electronic duo The Knocks, are making a stop at Hamilton tomorrow as part of their 2013 Campus Consciousness Tour.
Grouplove begins the tour a month after releasing their sophomore album Spreading Rumors on Sept. 17. Rolling Stone Magazine describes the music as “shaggy arena rock for the pool-skating set, like Arcade Fire with a seventh-grade sense of humor.”
The Los Angeles based band consists of Hannah Hooper (vocals, keys), Christian Zucconi (vocals, guitar), Sean Gadd (bass, vocals), Andrew Wessen (guitar, vocals) and Ryan Rabin (drums). The friends formed the band in 2009 and were signed to Atlantic Records as they released their self-titled EP in January 2011.
Since then, the band has toured with Foster the People and Two Door Cinema Club, as well as on the biggest summer stages at the Coachella Valley, Sasquatch! and Bonnaroo music festivals.
According to Atlantic Records, the college music tour will reach schools across the Midwest and Northeast regions. However, the tour is unique in that concerts are only half the goal. Grouplove, in partnership with REVERB and Rainforest Alliance, hopes to raise awareness about environmental sustainability on college campuses. “The College Consciousness Tour is a fun and engaging way to bring this message to life,” said President Tensie Whelan of Rainforest Alliance.
At each college there is a “consciousness-village” set up the day of the concert. The Hamilton Environmental Action Group (HEAG) is organizing the educational, fun-filled afternoon tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Beineke Student Activities Village.
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in REVERB’s $10,000 grant challenge to formulate the “best sustainable innovation idea.” REVERB will begin accepting submissions Oct. 24, and the winner will receive the grant to implement their idea with professional help.
If environmental studies is not your strong suit, Rainforest Alliance has an opportunity for artists. Grouplove’s frontwoman Hannah Hooper will join students in taking the “Follow the Frog” pledge “to collaborate on an original painting based on the theme of sustainability.”
Hooper became interested in the project because of her experience with art. In fact she is the band’s art director, an uncommon combination of skills that contribute to Grouplove’s unique persona.
The purpose of the project is to inform consumers of the importance of sustainability when shopping for products. For further information on the project, visit campusconsciousness.org.
HEAG will also have a table with giveaways, including temporary tattoos, according to HEAG President Nora Boylan ’15. Then comes the other half of the tour. At 8 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.) the fun will conclude with The Knocks, Saints of Valory and headliner Grouplove.
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