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Posted on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 10:23 a.m.

Music at Michigan Stadium: Like it, or not?

By Stefanie Murray

This is the first year that music has been piped in during Wolverine football games at Michigan Stadium. At the Notre Dame game this past Saturday, for example, Eminem and Guns N' Roses could be heard on the field during stoppages in play.

  • I don't care either way.
  • I like it - it adds to the experience.
  • I don't like it - it detracts from the experience.

Comments

Christopher Potter

Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.

Am I getting old? Am I out of step? I simply cannot believe the sonic-boom musical amplification at Michigan Stadium hasn't drawn a single negative comment on this site. I also cannot believe that 67% -- two thirds -- of voters LIKE this nouveau explosion of noise pollution. I've been going to Michigan football games for 56 years. But if things remain as they are decibel-wise, I'll never go to another one. I'll refrain from commenting on what passes for music nowadays, as the younger set clearly marches to a different beat. So it goes. As for the volume level, the stadium's sonic "improvement" is an ear-splitting sensory assault no one should have to endure as part of a captive audience. I'd like to know how many older spectators -- the ones most likely to contribute hefty sums to the Athletic Department -- feel about this brave new world of screech and squall. Isn't "The Victors" worthy enough? I note that one commenter thinks the New Sound will rout the old fogies and let the "real fans" grab their seats. Real fans? They're the folks who'll turn out come rain, snow or lighting storm to support the Maize & Blue; who'll concentrate on the game at hand; who'll groove to the MUSIC of Michigan's great Marching Band; who won't show up late and leave early to go party; who won't let themselves be distracted by intrusions that serve only to steal attention from the greatest sport in America. Does Michigan football need eruptions of brain-blasting bellows at rock-concert levels? Levels fine-tuned to pulverize one's senses into numbness, and which have NOTHING to do with the event at hand? I hadn't known Lloyd Carr was the immovable object who for years prevented such detonations from terrorizing Michigan Stadium. Bravo, Lloyd! I also hadn't known Rich Rodriguez was an avid booster of amplified discharge. Behold RichRod's sorriest Ann Arbor legacy, far worse than his teams' 22 defeats in 3 seasons. Losses fade. This kind of bequeathment wil

MichMich

Wed, Sep 16, 2009 : 1:25 p.m.

Thank you RichRod, the music is AWESOME! And keep the White Stripes - Seven Nation Army!

a2roots

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 2:59 p.m.

It is about time. Thank you Rich Rod. I asked LC many times why we did not do this and in his way, he basically ignored the question. All the Big Ten schools incorporate piped in music, video and their bands into a great show. It would seem as though they are taking baby steps with it at UM right now. I hope in time they get it going to jack up the crowd like they do at Iowa, Illinois, osu, et al. It is amazing what the other schools do with the music and video and how it ignites the crowd. It surely cannot hurt to get something going like that in Michigan Stadium.

81wolverine

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 1:22 p.m.

Agree with Pam's and Tater's comments. I sit in the south end zone and I can't hear the band hardly at all when they're playing while in their seats. In regards to the piped in music, it's definitely an improvement to add excitement and keep the players juiced up. But, they need to work on timing and the way they play it. Starting a song right before a play starts is kind of pointless. Also, they should skip the slow parts of the song and get right into the good part. You want the crowed hyped up not put to sleep!

tater

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 11:36 a.m.

I think the music should be LOUD. It will definitely discourage the "down in front" people. Maybe attrition will increase among those who want a football game to sound like a funeral and some real fans can get those good seats.

Lisa Bankey

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.

I don't mind having music piped in at Michigan sporting events. I attend many different Michigan sporting events (gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, baseball, football, etc.) and I think it gets the crowd excited for the event. It just doesn't seem to work in the U of M Stadium. Perhaps it is because it is an open stadium.

Pam Wilson

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 10:08 a.m.

The piped-in music is ok however, it was way too loud prior to the start of the game when the video was shown. The 300 strong UM Marching Band should be moved to the North end zone so the sound can reach 8/10 of the stadium as opposed to less than half (including much of the student section). This would increase fan participation with the band! I understand that construction changes were made to accommodate the percussion section, but believe these can also be completed at minimal cost in the end zone. Move the band!

Jon

Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 10 a.m.

Play the music, only next time let's have some Depech Mode!