Throughout the last several years, MSU has been home to several of the most exciting events, visits and happenings to ever take place in East Lansing’s history. Everyone from Bono, to Macklemore to President Barack Obama has stopped by. Take a look below to see others who have recently graced MSU with their presence.
U2
On Sunday, June 26, 2011, the popular Irish rock band U2 played in front of a packed house at Spartan Stadium. More than 70,000 people showed up to see a show that was more than three years in the making. The show was part of the band’s 360° tour. The concert marked just the second in the history of Spartan Stadium, the other being the Rolling Stones in 1994.
The concert wasn’t U2’s first appearance in East Lansing. In 1981, several years after the band was first starting out, they came to the city and played in the basement of the bar that is now Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.
Batman
Yes, THAT Batman. In October 2014, the set for the filming of ‘Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ came to campus and began filming scenes near the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. Several encounters between actor Ben Affleck and MSU occurred throughout the week, including one where he stopped by an MSU football practice. In addition, some students were able to take part as extras in the movie. The film is scheduled for a March 25, 2016 release.
Rich Homie Quan
After the rapper’s single, “Type of Way” became the anthem of that year’s 2014 Rose Bowl Championship football team, the MSU Residence Halls Association and Peezy Promotions sponsored a concert to bring Rich Homie Quan to campus in March 2014 for a show at MSU’s Auditorium. Several members of the football team, along with head coach Mark Dantonio, made an appearance on stage during the show.
Macklemore
During arguably his highest level of fame, thousands flocked to Breslin Center the evening of March 19, 2013 to see the rapper perform. The concert was sponsored by ASMSU and co-hosted with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Obama
President Barack Obama visited East Lansing on Feb. 7, 2014 to sign a farm bill that replaced direct crop payments with an insurance program. The president signed the bill after delivering a speech at the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, located just south of MSU’s main campus. Obama opened his speech with a “Go Green!” and shout-outs to the basketball and football teams.
