n September 26th, Programming Board hosted “Big Green Live,” the fall concert to kick off the beginning of the year. More importantly, it was the first “extensive outdoor concert in recent history,” according to PB’s Budget Coordinator Caitlin Halpert. The concert was also a response to Dartmouth students’ extensive criticism that Programming Board’s past concerts were not inclusive of all students or in exciting outdoor venues.

I wasn’t too crazy about the featured performers—Gym Class Heroes, Wale, and Mike Posner; however, I’ve never been much of a music person either. The overall scene was overall pretty nice—even fun, and I usually never attend PB events. It even avoided the usual whiney opinion article from The D that no one ever reads anyway.

Holding a big concert for the entire student body outside with free admission (yes, free!) is the perfect recipe to create an awesome event for Dartmouth students. Extra props to PB for having some sweet, salty and fatty foods. My Nutella and banana crepe pretty much sealed the deal, though a part of me wished that we could have at least used DA$H to pay for the food. I whole-heartedly approve of the changes they made so far to the concert format and hope to see more refinements to PB concerts in the future.

However, despite providing the student body with some good changes, I’m not sure that they answered its concerns in the best way possible. Yes, the concert took place outdoors, but a fall opening concert should take place in the quintessential Dartmouth location—the Green. A prime location would have taken care of most of the logistical problems Big Green Live had. If Big Green Live had taken place on the Green, there would have been less confusion about whether this was a concert-type or a festival-type event, the flashy food stands would not have blocked the stage, and the event would have seemed more official, something very Dartmouth.

Before we pull out our pitchforks and head over to a PB meeting, this wasn’t entirely Programming Board’s fault. Now, PB certainly has its share of criticism, but the College is largely responsible and has a lot of input for available spaces, especially for concerts. Yes, the Green is reserved for special events and rightly so. After all, the College does need to maintain an image for Dartmouth. However, there simply aren’t enough events that receive the proper space they need to be a successful student event. Events like the PB concert need to have the Green as a potential option now and then. It’s a prime location to have a concert, and would make students happy, or at the very least, not as unhappy.

The College and the town of Hanover, both of whom co-own the Green, may say that the concert would be too loud, or that it would harm the grass, etc. If that’s the case, why do we have any of their “approved” events on the Green? If that’s what they want, let’s keep the grass green on both ends, Dartmouth. Of course, that’s not what any of us would want to do. What else is the Green for except to host a menagerie of Dartmouth events like Homecoming and the Native American Pow-Wow? Noise may be an issue, but that’s primarily if it is after certain hours. It isn’t unreasonable to have a fun event during the day—we definitely need some excitement and variety around here.

Essentially, what it comes down to are a few officials, from the College or town, who are opposed to student activities, fun, and enduring a little noise. Technically, as a private entity, Dartmouth officials can do whatever they want, but honestly, it just makes them seem as if they oppose change, even if it’s for the better. Come on, Dartmouth and Hanover, let us have some fun. Give us the space we need. We’ll complain a bit less and wander outside of Webster Ave. a bit more often. Isn’t that what some of you want? Let us have our social space and let our concerts succeed.