Piped in Music
I didn't think that I would say this, but I have changed my opinion. I am now in favor of the unpopular piped in music. At least in my section, when the piped in music started playing, quiet people started getting louder. In a close game that is exactly what you want - some of the quiet people getting louder.
Sure people will cheer when UofM makes a good play etc.
However, you want people cheering when the opponent is at the line of scrimmage and calling audibles. And that is exactly what the piped in music helped with.
There are a lot of lazy fans in there and many of them will cheer when the piped in music is going. In example, my wife only cheered when UofM scored or the piped in music came on during ND's offensive possession.
I also noticed a lot of other quiet types only making noise when the 7 Nation Army, Welcome to the Jungle, etc came on during ND's possessions. Otherwise they wouldn't be making noise during ND's possessions. People act like sheep and the piped in music is the shepherd.
Sorry, just had to say it.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:27 AM ^
Was it loud in there? It seemed really loud from the broadcast.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:29 AM ^
I thought so, I lost my voice, my throat hurts. I felt like I was going to pass out a couple of times from just screaming stomping and clapping.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:32 AM ^
My wife is the exact same way. She starts dancing and yelling anytime the piped in music comes. I think I might now be a fan of it, for the very reason you mentioned, my wife is a classic example of someone that would only cheer if we made a great play, but the piped in music brings a little extra. Also I sat right behind ND's band and it seemed like they were playing in between every down when Michigan was on offense, and a couple times they would play up until 20 or so seconds were left on the game clock. Is this legal?
September 13th, 2009 at 8:34 AM ^
We're a world class institution, I think we can think up a better musical selection then that. As for the sound, Holly mentioned how it was a problem for the ND players and they started resorting to sign language, so I would say the new construction is a success from that point.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^
The Journey and Neil Diamond need to go. They were out of place, and did nothing for the crowd other than to let them scream "SOUTH DETROIT" like it was a Red Wings game, or something...
And I thought I would hate the piped in music in general, but the use of AC/DC, Eminem, GNR, and The White Stripes got non-alum fans fired up in an incredible way. There were guys and girls in my section who were quiet, but then a song would start, and they'd jump to their feet and start screaming and chanting along with the music.
And if you can't get fired up after hearing just the first gong on Hell's Bells, then you're probably dead.
The whole Seven Nation Army chant was cool as hell, albeit stolen from PSU. But who cares. We've had any number of traditions borrowed over the years. We should get one in return.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:37 AM ^
I am okay with piped in music during commercial breaks, I guess... BUT when the teams are about to break out of the huddle, that's annoying. It reminds me of going to a Red Wings game, and how they try to time the stoppage of music with the faceoff.
And speaking of the Wings, I do enjoy when "Don't Stop Believing" is played at Michigan Stadium. "Born and raised in South Detroit" sounds even better with 110,000 fans. =)
September 13th, 2009 at 8:42 AM ^
one of the loudest games I've been to (20+ yrs attending).
Players say THEY like it, too: http://www.annarbor.com/sports/notebook-receiver-greg-matthews-makes-up…
September 13th, 2009 at 9:09 AM ^
Since even the student section was stunned/shut up by the interception and ND's ensuing drive, them playing the Eminem and the Welcome to the Jungle (easy stuff that everybody can get fired up about) got people back to jumping around and shouting.
It improved the energy of the fans, and in my opinion that's all that matters for "atmosphere."
September 13th, 2009 at 9:24 AM ^
I think that if it can be done tastefully I'm fully for it. I was at the State-Central game and I recall they did not play a ton of piped in music, but they played it in certain situations that called for it. As long as we don't come running out of the tunnel with smoke shooting out and intense RAWK music like they do, I wouldn't be opposed to anything.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:30 AM ^
play selection was better than last week. "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Hell's Bells" are fine crowd-pumping songs, but they're pretty overplayed. On the other hand, "Seven Nation Army" is slightly less used, and the White Stripes are local, so that adds to the flavor a bit. "Lose Yourself" is a good choice for the same reason.
An interesting thing about "Lose yourself" is the interlude at the beginning - a calm piano part before the familiar beat starts up. They don't usually play that part on the radio, so when it started there was almost a sense of confusion in the crowd - "What is this? Why are they playing it?" but then when the hard beat started people went nuts (although Notre Dame then converted the third down they were facing, so meh.)
The one issue I have is the timing of the songs. A lot of them have fairly long intros before they get interesting (Seven Nation Army being a notable exception), and they tend to start playing them only a few seconds before play resumes. Why they let a 3-minute TV timeout lapse in silence for two minutes and forty-five seconds before playing the first couple bars of a song is beyond me.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:37 AM ^
I'll admit that I've warmed to the music as well. There were a lot of timeouts burned and delay of game penalties that probably resulted, at least in part, from the crowd noise.
My only complaint is that, between the half time shows and the music last week, there has been altogether too much Neil Diamond. Sure, his music makes me want to punch people, but that's probably not what the team is going for.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:54 AM ^
The music helps get the entire stadium invovled. With an improvment in selection, and timing, it is a good addition that they players, recruits and the next generation of Michigan fans like.
I hope the marvels of technology (or common sense) can find a way for the band to be heard, because I miss not hearing them.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:59 AM ^
PIped in music sucks. Having the ND band located where they can be hear reminds me o what is wrong with the current arrangement for the Band.
And the Stadium was loud without the piped in music. On many occassions the crowd was roaring and then the music started, adding ZERO to the environment. Move the band tothe endzone so more of the stadium can hear th Band. If I wanted a minor league baseball environment I'd go watch the mudhens.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:27 AM ^
Some People on this site seemingly are in a position to impact the Piped in Music. I recall seeing POSTS suggesting Eminem, White Stripes, Iggy Pop, Bob Segar, Kid Rock, MC5........LOCAL BANDS
On that NOTE, I really wish the Band would stop Playing
1. "Thriller" -Michael Jackson.......For many many reasons...plus Overkill? (too soon?)
2. "Don;t Stop Believin"-Journey and "LIving on a Prayer" -Bon Jovi...
These songs make us sound desperate
I thought Piped in Music was fun, esp. White Stripes, who cares about PSU
September 13th, 2009 at 10:40 AM ^
I'll also admit that I am not as opposed to the piped in music as I was after the WMU game. But, I did notice that the sound immediately dropped when the music was turned off (as it is required to be) before the play and it took a little time for the crowd to get loud when it is really important.
BTW, did not sit down for one play in the entire game (Section 4). Everyone was standing up so there really wasn't a choice. Great crowd. Can't remember last time that happened.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:41 AM ^
I loved the white strips and eminem. When I emailed the AD last week expressing my support for the piped in music, playing more local bands such as Eminem, The White Stripes, Ted Nugent, and Bob Seger over Neil Diamond was one of my suggestions. When Lose Yourself and 7 Nation Army started up the student section was going nuts. I love the pipped in music and makes us sound like a modern college football environment.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^
The student section was already doing something called the Big Cheer from the Big House, perhaps we have all heard of it? I certainly think that the band needs to play louder, but to pipe music in over Let's Go Blue is an epic fail.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:53 AM ^
I thought some of the piped in music did add to the overall atmosphere. However, I was upset because there was at least one time when the band was playing lets go blue and then the piped in music cut them off. Once they get a little better at knowing when to play music and what to play (please no more Journey or Sweet Caroline, not a fan of 7 nation army either).
September 13th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
I think the piped in music can work once they get more experience with coordination and a better playlist.
If they play 7 Nation Army, they should do it when the guitar and drums are playing the main riff, not the intro riff.
I thought Lose Yourself was an excellent choice and should make a return.