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"McCartney Madness" Will Entertain Fans Well Before Sat. Concert of Former Beatle

John Smith/WAER News

Syracuse University Student musicians and singers will be warming up concertgoers before they attend the Paul McCartney concert with performances of their own on Saturday.

Songs from the Beatles and Sir Paul will be filling the air on the Syracuse University quad during "McCartney Madness" Saturday from 1:30 to 6:30 pm. 

Credit John Smith/WAER News
Banner on Carrier Dome for the Paul McCartney Concert

The idea happened shortly after the concert was announced.  Co-Producer Andreya Cherry says the planning and logistics have continued over the summer.

“The marching bands playing, the jazz ensembles playing.  We have 2 big themed student bands on campus, FLOTUS and Bluets are playing. The A ‘Capella groups and orchestra.  It’s a very diverse group of people and musicians which is what makes it so great.”

Cherry adds lots of student are getting involved. 

“We also have musicians from in the school of music and outside the school of music.  We’re just showing how diverse and how popular this music can be.  And trying to take advantage of all the different types and styles we have on campus.”

The longevity of the music of the Beatles and McCartney continue to reach younger generations.

“The Beatles and Paul McCartney had such a great impact on music, not (just) pop music, but everywhere they touch is something big.  So it’s kind of exciting for us and I think it’s really neat how Paul McCartney’s music is so cross-generational.  My parents are just as excited about this concert as I am.”

Credit John Smith/WAER News
The group FLOTUS plays getting ready for McCartney Madness

Members of the student band FLOTUS are dreaming of a particular person to be in the audience for their outdoor concert.

“Paul McCartney is known for always coming out to these types of things, showing his face and checking it out.  So we can only hope.”

The group wants to get people rockin’ out with them. 

McCartney Madness takes place from 1:30 to 6:30 P.M. Saturday.  It was arranged through the Setnor School of MusicMcCartney’s show gets underway at 8 P.M.  It’s suggested to arrive at least 90 minutes in advance. 

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.
John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.