Campus Activities Board will bring singer Sara Bareilles back to the Benson stage on April 20 as a part of this spring’s First Thaw.
“We got her at a really great opportunity,” said Logan Light, director of campus life. “She’s in the middle of recording an album right now and we’re getting her on what they call a routing tour. She wanted to do some smaller college shows to build some anticipation for her new album, so that worked out really well for us.”
Before Bareilles takes the stage, Light said three other unconfirmed bands will be opening for her.
This will be the second time Bareilles has performed at Harding. The first time was in December of 2007.
Elizabeth Harrell, a 2009 Harding graduate, said she had attended the previous Bareilles concert, where she fell in love with Bareilles’ music.
“I am kind of an old soul, and my favorite setting for a concert is one where I can sit comfortably to enjoy the show,” Harrell said. “That was … the feel of her concert. It was in the Benson, and it was very laid-back music, so we were all seated and soaking up her beautiful sound. I only knew her hit ‘Love Song’ because it had been on the radio for a few weeks.
Harrell also said after the concert she bought Bareilles’ album’s sheet music to play on the piano.
“I vividly remember her singing ‘Gravity’ at that concert and getting chills all over,” Harrell said. “I loved every song she performed, but that was the song that made me become a true fan. Also, her voice was stunning. She can definitely sing live. I have loved watching her be a judge on NBC’s ‘The Sing-Off.’ She has stated many times that she was in an a capella group in college, and as a choral director myself, I appreciate her advocacy for being involved in choir.”
Harrell, who currently works as a choral director for Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., said if her schedule allows her to, she will be coming back to Harding to see Bareilles perform.
The concert will be open to the public and tickets will be available online. There will be a lower rate for students, which is unconfirmed as of right now and students with the CAB Pass.
Since the Sara Bareilles concert will need lots of marketing, Light said CAB would be grateful for student volunteers to help promote the event.
Light said he will also make an announcement in chapel on Thursday, March 1, to reveal more information on who will be opening for Bareilles and more details on First Thaw.
