Sublime with Rome performs

After a last-minute venue change from Assembly Hall to the IU Auditorium, Sublime with Rome entertained a full house Friday. The concert was the official Union Board Little 500 concert.

Sublime with Rome is a collaboration between Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, formerly of the band Sublime, and singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez. Although the group primarily plays songs by Sublime written prior to frontman Bradley Nowell’s death in 1996, the group has produced one album of its own. The band was forced to change their name from Sublime to Sublime with Rome due to legal challenges.

Gaugh has said he plans to leave the band soon, but Friday night, the band members played together as IU fans cheered them on.

Because the Little 500 women’s race ended just before 9 p.m., the crowd continued trickling into the Auditorium well past the official concert start time of 9:30 p.m.

The Dirty Heads performed as the opening act.

The band, created by lead singer Jared Watson and guitarist and vocalist Dustin Bushnell, emerged onto the Southern California music scene in 1996. Their blend of hip-hop, alternative rock and vintage reggae captured the attention of the enthusiastic crowd.

“Thank you, guys, for coming out tonight,” Watson said as the audience shouted, screamed and clapped to the music.

“Now raise your voice if you’re gonna have a good time tonight.”

The crowd roared in response.

“Now, this isn’t a jazz concert in a garden somewhere,” Watson said.

“So stand up for me real quick and let me know you’re havin’ a good time because this is a Sublime concert.”

Many people jumped to their feet and raised their voices as the Dirty Heads commenced their first song.

“This is the first time I’ve heard them play,” freshman Zach Greer said.

“They are really good. I don’t like how we’re confined to our seats, and I wish it had been outside, but overall it’s been nice. A good mood set. I’m glad to be here.”

Performing numerous songs from their new album, the Dirty Heads were well received by the crowd, which applauded loudly after each song.

“Now we’re gonna have a guest come up here to play a couple songs with us,” Watson said. “His name is Rome Ramirez.”

Cheering loudly once again, people in the crowd threw their hands in the air and raised their voices to greet Ramirez as he walked onto the stage.

The Dirty Heads finished their evening with Ramirez and said goodbye to the still-roaring audience.    

Though the Dirty Head’s performance had ended, the headlining band Sublime with Rome came onstage after a brief intermission and took the stage by storm.

The Auditorium’s lights dimmed, a warning that the concert was about to pick up again, and then a spotlight shone on the disc jockey onstage. Sublime with Rome came out and rocked the Auditorium.

The concert went on for nearly four hours, and fans stood, waving their arms and cheering, until the last minute.

“This concert was definitely awesome,” freshman Cassie Arnold said. “It’s good to hear such great bands come and play at IU.”