Hey all! Kelsey here. Boy, was this weekend eventful. WIUX Pledge Weekend AND a show featuring two of B-town's best local bands? Count me in.
As I've mentioned before, I am the music director at WIUX, so this Pledge Weekend was a big deal to me and the rest of the people I work with there. We're working really hard to do some great things this year and make some major improvements (including a full re-wire of the studio) so that we can continue to be Bloomington's outlet for underrepresented and local music! So thank you to all of those who donated their money and time to helping us out this weekend, including the bands that played our Pledge Show (and the second-to-last show we'll be holding at our station house).
So the show! Let's just say it was great. But isn't that always the case when Good Luck or The Alarmists (Calm Down) take the stage? I'd say so.
After spending nearly every waking hour at the radio station last weekend, the show was the perfect respite from the chaos. People started piling into the station house not long before the start of the show until it was filled to the brim. Spilling into the doorway and out onto the porch, fans waited eagerly for the Alarmists to shake down the house.
Before the start of the show, my co-music director George Drake took the mic to talk about the pledge drive and passed around a beautiful, sparkly blue collection box (seriously, we spent a good amount of time putting it together) and people opened their hearts and their wallets for the cause. (THANK YOU!)
The Alarmists, most likely the only band in a 100-mile radius that features a timpani (correct me if I'm wrong), ripped into their set, starting off with my personal favorite, "$35,000," that felt almost tangible as it reverberated off of the walls of the station house. The packed room filled with energy and a warmth not felt outside as people surrounded the band and danced along. Lacking a stage in the station house, the band was right there with the crowd, and it added to the communal feeling of the evening.
With booms of a popping bass line, the Alarmists kicked out "Hot Noise, Bright Lights" to an eager crowd, most of which excitedly echoed the words back to the band.
Flying through the rest of the set, which included other favorites off of their "Deep Shivers Run For My Daughter" EP, the band provided quite a satisfying set, the kind that always leaves me wanting more.
In the time between sets, George and I worked the crowd yet again with our sparkly box and met a lot of great people that lovingly support our station. All of you are amazing.
And then the fun began. The always-entertaining trio that comprises Good Luck whipped through a set that included such numbers as "Pajammin'" and "Hey Matt," and the crowd, which was still filling the room to capacity, was loving every minute. Like a continual sing-a-long, the set sounded tight and energetic. But really, could you expect anything less of this band?
The night ended sooner than anyone could have anticipated, but as the smiling crowd ventured outside into the cool, crisp night air, it was apparent that everyone was beyond satisfied with the rousing sets they had witnessed that night.
It was an eventful night and an even more eventful weekend for me and the directors/staff at WIUX, but well worth the time and effort. Thanks again to everyone who donated, helped out, stopped by, and attended the show. We love you and appreciate you!
-Story by Kelsey McArdle
