On May 3, The Audio Club hosted its first-ever music festival. The president of the Audio Club, Thomas Chandler, described the event as a “little collection of music enjoyers playing music that isn’t just classical.” The performance was free and open to the public, giving the community a taste of alternative student music. Students ran the event mostly, though they worked in partnership with Dr. Tedford. The students who participate in Audio Club didn’t just learn and perform music; they also handled advertising. Club member Sam Snyder created digital posters, and other members helped distribute them.
The reason behind the concert was to give the club a goal and sense of purpose. Chandler said, “I wanted to give these people an opportunity to, one, play in a band because it’s fun, and two, to learn what the technical background is.” The festival opened doors for the club and provided an educational experience for all band members.
The bands that played at the event include:
- Cigarette Yellow
- Pink Lemonade
- When the Zeppelin Breaks
- Febus and The Fellas
- We The Purple
The groups were diverse in genre and student majors. Cigarette Yellow is an alternative rock band comprising business majors. Pink Lemonade performed covers of songs like “Velvet Ring” by Big Thief and “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez. When the Zeppelin Breaks is a Led Zeppelin cover band. Febus and The Fellas is a jazz trio featuring saxophone, string bass and drums. We the Purple performed covers of songs from bands like Pinegrove, Mac DeMarco and Blondie. From ’80s pop to indie to classic rock, there was something for everyone.
The crowd was diverse. Most Audio Club members, performing and nonperforming, came to watch their peers. Bloomsburg students who weren’t in the club came to support their friends, along with town residents. The music fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi Zeta Alpha volunteered to sell drinks and snacks. The crowd actively participated in the performances, singing along and dancing. Jonah Hemminger, student and drummer for Pink Lemonade, said, “Overall, I think it went perfectly. The sound quality was great, all our performances went very well, it didn’t get rained out. And now we’re talking about having one every spring semester.”
The Audio Club music festival is not one you want to miss.
(Gabby Drumheller)
