A capella groups perform seasonal concert
Blankets were spread out, marshmallows were beginning to melt in steaming cups of hot cocoa and the Swearingen Engineering Center courtyard was full of aca-goodness.
USC’s three a capella groups — The Cocktails, The Carolina Gentlemen and Cockappella — came together for the “Aca-toberfest” fall concert Thursday night. The groups performed selections by artists from Rihanna to Mumford and Sons for a packed house.
Logan Smith, a first-year mechanical engineering student, said he came to the performance because he was a part of an a capella group in high school.
“I’ve been in one of these before, so I can really appreciate what they do,” Smith said.
The Cocktails took the stage first, dressed in matching plaid shirts, scarves and boots. As they arranged themselves on the stairs to begin singing “Wagon Wheel,” the audience applauded and cheered, “Yeah ladies!” As the song reached its climax, students began clapping along and keeping the beat with the singers.
The Cocktails then sang “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, “I Need Your Love” by Ellie Goulding and “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, with different soloists taking over each song.
Lisa Grant, a member of the group, then thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting the a capella groups of USC. She also encouraged students to attend the upcoming Jingle Jam A Capella Fest on Dec. 4, which will feature the group “Committeed,” known for winning NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”
The Carolina Gentlemen, formally known as SoundCheck, then took the stage to a chorus of cheers and applause. Performing “Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons with soloist John Bureau, the men entertained the audience with well-timed movements and snaps.
The Gentlemen then began singing the opening chords to Rihanna’s “Stay,” when point the audience began screaming for soloist Casey Berry to enter the spotlight. As Berry started to sing, they snapped pictures on their cell phones and recorded his solo.
The a capella men performed renditions of “Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band and “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse. Finishing their set with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift, Bureau changed the lyrics of the song to say, “And you would hide away and find your peace of mind / with some a capella group that’s much cooler than mine,” to huge applause.
The co-ed Cockapella group was the last to perform, with energetic renditions of songs including “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child and “This Love” by Maroon 5. The group succeeded in getting the audience to laugh and interacting with them as they sang.
Stefanie Brown, a fourth-year advertising student and member of The Cocktails, said she loved being a part of Aca-toberfest.
“I love bringing all the groups together for concerts, because we all bring something different to the table, and it’s great to be able to showcase that,” Brown said.
Leah Grubb contributed reporting.