Students on Bowdoin's Campus Activity Board receive more than just requests for water and towels from bands coming to perform on campus.
"The requests we get are typically pretty standard, but then a lot of times we'll be asked to provide something totally random," said Lucas Delahanty '10, Co-Chair of the Concerts and Comedy Committee.
"For example, Talib Kweli asked for a specific brand of peppermint soap, and I think Naughty by Nature asked for some organic teas," said Delahanty.
"It's just humorous, because the things some of these bands ask for are so unexpected considering the genre of music they perform."
The rider (the term used to describe the contract between Bowdoin and the performers) for hip-hop artist Kweli also included an assortment of protein shakes and bars, cough drops, incense sticks, Andis T Outliners Hair Clippers, a container of honey, three natural-scented candles and "Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap."
Hip-hop group Naughty by Nature's requests included an assortment of juices (especially papaya juice), two colored televisions, one VCR and DVD player, a boom box and stereo, a private bathroom with mirrors, condoms, a lockable door with keys, soy milk, and five Boston Market Chicken Dinners with a 24-piece container of KFC chicken and biscuits.
According to Co-Chair of the Campus Activity Board Jacqueline Abrams '08, the committee factors in the cost of hospitality and production accommodations when considering its budget for the coming year.
"We operate through the agency Pretty Polly Productions, and use their prediction for the cost of a certain act. We then might add about three grand to that price to budget in for everything else the band might need, and for facility set-up," Abrams said.
These other costs include the price of hotels and local transportation, as well as any specific accommodations the artist may desire and the cost of hiring extras to set up equipment and sets.
Sometimes bands will request things that the College is unable to provide, either for liability reasons or because the request goes against the College's policy.
"A lot of times bands will request alcohol or tobacco, which the College can't provide," said Abrams. "But in those cases the Committee will eliminate parts of the contract that are either unreasonable or against our policy, and oftentimes the artist really doesn't mind. The trend seems to be that the artist has had the same rider for years and starts to forget what items are or aren't on it."
Ben Kweller's request for an organic apple pie from Whole Foods was one that the College adjusted.
"We asked him if he would mind Bowdoin's Dining Service making the pie with organic ingredients, and he didn't mind at all," said Co-Chair of the Lively Arts Committee Katie Gundersen '10. According to Gundersen, Kweller had a weekly meal schedule, in which he asked for a different meal every day of the week along with a different type of fruit juice.
"I think our day, Friday, was the day he wanted grape juice and a full chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, corn, and green beans for his whole entourage," said Gundersen.
"I remember last year Rahzel asked for a pack of Starkist Tuna Pouches (Ready to Mix), Snapple (at least 4 peach-flavored Snapples), and one dozen red roses," said Abrams.
"The roses were for the show though, to hand out to the ladies, which ended up working out well for Rahzel because he ended up partying with the rugby team after the concert," she added. "It goes to show that most all of the requests have some purpose behind them, however bizarre that might be."