The University of Rhode Island’s Halloween student music showcase, held in the Memorial Union Atrium on Friday night, brought together a diverse selection of musicians for an evening that highlighted student bands on campus.
The event was organized to give student performers a chance to present both their original music and interpretive covers. The event’s aim was to underscore the dynamic nature of the campus music scene, according to Luke Mounier a first-year graduate student in the Musicians Guild
The program opened with Trust Fund Diva, a band known among students for their eclectic mix of genres, and they stepped in on short notice to complete the set.
Their setlist included renditions of songs by Paramore and System of a Down, as well as Rihanna’s “Disturbia,” alongside original compositions that showcased the group’s development since its formation earlier in the year.
Lead vocalist and Fourth-year student Chelsea Lynn Taylor reflected on the difficulties the band faced during preparations for their covers.
“The hardest one to get down was definitely ‘Disturbia’, because we didn’t really practice it,” Taylor said. “We had one practice for all of this.”
The group compensated for any rehearsal hurdles with tight coordination on stage, drawing early applause for both familiar tracks and their own material.
Each act was allotted roughly 20 minutes to perform. Some musicians focused on vocal storytelling, drawing listeners’ attention, like the band Find a Better Body.
Others chose more upbeat, groove-oriented compositions, prompting audience members to clap along or move closer to the stage, Trust Fund Diva and Plastyc Peachez really engaged the audience.
Technical aspects of the show were managed by a team of student volunteers, who handled microphones, amplifier and rapid set changes.
The Atrium’s main stage was outfitted with portable lighting and a modest sound system that allowed acts to adjust instrument balance and vocal clarity as needed.
Plastyc Peachez, the evening’s headline act, took the stage toward the middle of the program. Their performance featured a blend of original songs and inventive rearrangements of well-known tracks.
“We like to start upbeat to match the vibe, then bring in some darker or more emotional material and end on a high note,” Ian Haley, drummer for Plastyc Peachez said.
The group’s interplay between multi-part harmonies and layered guitar work, drew particular appreciation from the crowd during extended instrumental breaks.
Audience engagement proved to be a constant throughout the showcase. Enthusiastic applause greeted the conclusion of each act, and several performers received spontaneous ovations following solos or vocal passages.
Students lined the front of the stage for the headline set, and the closing numbers of the night prompted attendees to call for encores — a request that was met by the final act after a brief on-stage consultation.
In post-event conversations, musicians expressed gratitude for the camaraderie present in the lineup.
“Well, honestly, the musicians we played with tonight are incredible, and I feel lucky to share the stage with them,” Aidan Sullivan, guitarist and vocalist of Plastyc Peachez, said.
The show concluded after nearly three hours, with the organizing committee reminding attendees of future events planned for later in the semester.
In total, the lineup featured more than a dozen student performers, spanning five acts and covering genres from acoustic folk to high-energy rock.
To stay informed about future events hosted by the Musician’s Guild check out their instagram @urimusiciansguild.
