 "Photo: David Givler")
The night air in Devlin Hall was filled with song on Thursday night. The lights were low but spirits ran high as Boston College's six a cappella groups gathered into Devlin's lecture hall to perform some of their best songs at A Cappella Fest, hosted by the Acoustics.
Even when the lights dimmed at 7 p.m., commotion still rumbled as BC's eager fans hurried to find seats - some even ended up on the floor or leaning against the entrance. For the entire show, it was rare that the door ever closed on the fans.
The first group to perform was the Bostonians, one of BC's male and female groups. It opened with Rob Thomas's "This is How a Heart Breaks." It was a good song choice and definitely engaged the crowd. Their final two songs, Cascada's "Miracle" and Justin Timberlake's "Lovestoned / I think That She Knows" were the group's strongest. Both incorporated extremely powerful beat-boxing, and the popular nature of each song engaged the crowd and had them laughing and cheering for most of the remainder of the Bostonians' performance.
Four songs later, BC's only all-female a cappella group, the Sharps, graced the stage. The ladies opened with Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart." A mix of song and choreography kept the crowd engaged as the Sharps began their performance. The women of the Sharps ended with one of their strongest songs, "Hide and Seek." The song requires no solo, so each of the girls equally shined as the intense message of their song choice vibrated through Devlin's lecture hall.
BC's male and female Christian a cappella group took the floor next. Against the Current was only able to perform one song, but the unique aura that it brought was a refreshing mix toward the middle of the show. Its soloist had a soft and mellow voice that radiated the beauty and tranquility of the song.
Following ATC was another co-ed group, the Dynamics. The men and women performed four songs, which all were strong choices. They began with Lauryn Hill's "Killing Me Softly," which proved to be an appropriate segue from the previous song. The group closed with the second Justin Timberlake song of the evening, "Cry Me a River." The Dynamics weaved stomping and clapping into their rendition, a technique that actively engaged the audience and enhanced the mood of the night.
The second to last act of the night was performed by BC's only all-male a cappella group, the Heightsmen. The boys of the Heightsman sang together very well, incorporating the brotherly love on which they pride themselves on. They opened with two Sugar Ray songs, "Every Morning" and "Fly." These once extremely popular hits were a nice break compared to some of the trendier songs that the other groups had previously performed. After these two songs, the boys transitioned from the faster melodies of Sugar Ray, to the slower beat of "In the Still of the Night."
Last to perform was the host of this year's A Cappella Fest, The Acoustics. The Acoustics also have both male and female members. Although the crowd shifted numbers after each group had finished performing, it was nice to see that most of Devlin Hall was still full at the finale of A Cappella Fest. While many of the preceding groups sang more popular songs, the Acoustics mixed it up with something a little different. The group opened with Robin Thicke's "When I Get You Alone." The group's singer did a superb job with the short staccato lyrics.
Based on the enthusiasm of the crowd, the smiles on each of the performers' faces, and the impressive turnout, at the end of the night A Cappella Fest could be called nothing but a success.
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