Arts night: all transition metals, few noble gases
This morning, I and the Catnip team gained access to the Arts and Entertainment Commitee’s Arts Night sound check, to write an exclusive early review of tonight’s upcoming showcase.
First up was not one, not two, but three acapella groups: n+1th Harmonic, The Large Slabs of the Earth’s Lithosphere, and The Stethoscopes. All groups had a thorough lack of live band, and it would have been greatly appreciated had they subverted the genre by entirely disregarding it. However, one tradition was notably missed; it was particularly disappointing that there was no riff off between any of the groups. One small member of The Stethoscopes brought an overly enthusiastic, joyful energy to the stage. However, this was overlooked by the group members, as they seemed to be more focused on one particularly attractive ginger fellow.
My knowledge of East Asian pop prior to this night was limited to incredibly sexy feminine boys and baddie girls, making bisexuality non-negotiable, but Pop of East Asia Society raised my opinion. One may have heard that “there is always an Asian student out there better than you”, and these bandmates through practice, hard work, and talent certainly ensured this, but I would like to extend this to say “there is always a student in PEASoc fitter than you.”
Next up was Siana Dongwriter, a mysterious dirty blonde with a serious case of middle-class voice. While the second song was lyrically impeccable, the third was my favourite, and had me creating a parasocial relationship with the cleverly intimate songwriter, noting to take a good stalk of the gram later on.
There were then various metal and “alternative” bands – so many that they formed an alloy. Cum created the sound of a rabbit holding a dagger emerging out of a pigeon wearing batman’s cape, one I was not previously familiar with, and was not sure I wished to be.
Small Band had a 45 minute set. What was intended to be a Tuxedo Junction was giving finance bro function. There were no bleeding hands from the drummer, or any throwing of chalk, unfortunately. Though their incredible musical talent gave me whiplash, I would have appreciated some more theatrics. Yet, their love was for sale, and I bought it.
The finale set by the DJ performer was what you would expect from a DJ in South Kensington studying at Imperial College. Overall, a touching night.
