by The Cowl Editor on August 29, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
by Grace Whitman ’22 A&E Staff
This year, Providence College has booked the singer-songwriter John Legend to headline Late Night Madness on Oct. 5 during Homecoming Weekend. John Legend, best known for his songs “All of Me” and “Love Me Now,” is one of 15 Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony (EGOT) winners.
John Legend’s mix of contemporary R&B, pop, and soul music will contribute to an inspirational performance.
Throughout his career, John Legend has made his philanthropic efforts a priority and has always used his platform to make a difference. In one of his newest songs, “Preach,” he writes, “I can’t sit and hope, I can’t just sit and pray, that I can find a love, when all I see is pain falling to my knees and though I do believe I can’t just preach, baby, preach.”
John Legend refuses to let his platform go to waste as he continuously takes the initiative and acts for the change that he wants to see in the world. His impactful lyrics alone describe an ideal world full of beauty and love.
Meanwhile, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, best known for his hits “Drowning” and “Look Back at It,” is set to open Madness this year. With spirits as high as they always are at Late Night Madness, A Boogie will be sure to pump up the crowd and set the stage for the headlining performance.
Late Night Madness has been a PC tradition ever since men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino brought it to Friartown in 1985. In the past, PC has brought a wide array of celebrities to perform, MC, or speak at the event. From Jalen Rose and Big Sean in 2014, to Ludacris in 2015, to Shaquille O’Neal in 2016, PC has never failed to surprise the Friar Family. The names that the school brings in to perform at Madness draw in most of the student body. It is the one time where school spirit is combined with music, sports, and inspiration.
This year’s party is moving to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for the first time ever, and the entire Friar family is invited. New Student Family and Homecoming Weekend will take place on the same October 4-6 weekend.
Late Night Madness will kick-off the 2019-20 men’s and women’s basketball seasons and will include player introductions and competitions with special performances by PC spirit groups. Seeing that the PC basketball program and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center have storied histories dating back to the 1970s, it is only fitting that Madness becomes a part of that tradition.
Hopefully, this venue change leads to an even stronger relationship between PC and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The venue itself obviously has a much larger capacity than the Peterson Recreation Center, allowing for Madness to accommodate the greater Friar Family of alumni, fans, and community members. Moreover, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center has sound technology, stage space, and a good reputation, which could lead to booking bigger names in the future. The joint venture certainly opens up the door for big performers in the coming years.