Homecoming wouldn’t be complete without music, but concerts were not an important part of homecoming until the late 1990s, said Dave Critchlow, adviser for Homecoming Central Committee.

“Before, they might have had a comedian or hypnotist, but bands really didn’t start coming until ’96 or ’97,” he said.

The first couple of years consisted of “Bands on Welch.” This resembled something like “Battle of the Bands,” Critchlow said.

In 1997 Dazy Head Mazy performed at State Gym, due to rain delays.

“This was when they first started going,” he said, “and some people on the [Homecoming] committee knew the members of the band.”

In 1998, the Homecoming concert was able to be held south of Campanile.

“Tim Mahoney played in ’98,” Critchlow said. “His music is similar to the Nadas or Jason LeVasseur.”

In 1999 Swing Crew, a band out of Wisconsin, performed for Homecoming.

“They play a lot of fun sing-along songs,” Critchlow said. “The band does anything from kid shows to fun shows. It’s not really swing music. They can play anything from Jimmy Buffett to Garth Brooks.”

Dazy Head Mazy returned in 2000 for another Homecoming concert.

“We really liked them as a committee and wanted to bring them back,” Critchlow said. He describes the band as acoustic rock.

Last year the Nadas played with opening guest Jason LeVasseur.

“His music is more college or campus contemporary,” Critchlow said.

He plans to return for an opening concert at noon on Friday.

“He will play during the day to promote and show what is to come that night at the concert,” Critchlow said.

This year LeVasseur returns with Jerry Chapman. The two-person contemporary band makes up “Life in General,” which is scheduled to play at 9:30 p.m. on Friday south of the Campanile.

The process of getting a band for Homecoming can take a couple of months, said Ellen Dunseth, program assistant for the Alumni Association.

“We have to meet with the band to discuss contracts and negotiate a price, so it takes a while,” Dunseth said.

Student committees like Homecoming Central often suggest bands.

“If they know they like a certain band, like Jason LaVasseur because he was here last year, they suggest them again,” Dunseth said.