Media Credit: Marina Pardee The Acoustics flaunt their eclectic style and enrapturing vocal versatility in their fall show.

It is 7 p.m. on a Saturday night. What is a typical college student to do? Go out, yes, but would you guess the choice of festivity to be an a cappella concert? On this particular Saturday night, a sizeable crowd of students made their way through the dark and blusteringly cold night to the small niche on campus that is McGuinn 121 - choosing a night of song over both Boston College football and hockey games.

Spotlights, balloons, and streamers set the stage for the Acoustics' performance of "Cirque du Café." The room buzzed with excitement as the audience steadily filled the small auditorium. They were mostly a mix of "friends and family coming to watch, but … a lot of people also come just because they like a cappella concerts and listening to good music," said Caitlin Kline, A&S '10. Before the show, Sara Loudon, CSOM '10, described a typical Acoustics show as "energetic and really versatile." What was to ensue could not have been better summarized.

Promptly at 7:30, a ringmaster called out, "Welcome to the greatest show on earth, Cirque de Café!" and from that call, the level of enthusiasm in the room rarely lulled. The co-ed group paraded onstage in bizarre costumes - fully face-painted clowns, a muscle-bound man in drag, an a cappella superfan, and a Tigger, to name a few. But bizarre as it may have been, it was not unlike the Acoustics, who are known for being the most comical of BC's a cappella groups. The show was appropriately named, as the group combined harmony and hilarity throughout the night for a double dose of entertainment.

The Acoustics performed 16 different songs over the span of an hour and a half. Each member had a chance to shine under the spotlight, either singing or acting in the three comic skits; no one member carried the show.

Their characteristic versatility was demonstrated in the range of their set list as they sampled recognizable pop, soul, and rhythm and blues. Some notable numbers included The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)", The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done" and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Trouble Sleeping."

Each song featured a soloist while the rest of the Acoustics provided background vocals and grooved along enthusiastically. And just to remind the audience of their lighter side (if the costumes weren't enough), Greg Epstein, A&S '10, soloed in a goofy rendition of B2K's "Bump Bump Bump" complete with P. Diddy's rap mid-song, much to the audience's approval.

But fans of the Acoustics know that they aren't just about the laughs. The Acoustics are indeed a very talented group. At several instances during the night, the audience rose to its feet in applause. For instance after a soloist raised goosebumps in a sultry "Black Velvet" and another soloist with a rich, Josh Groban-esque voice sang Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars."

One section of the audience, front and center, was particularly responsive to the performers, emitting catcalls and whistles. At the end of the night, we learned that these were alumni Acoustics when they joined their younger companions for a heartfelt reunion performance. With arms around one another, they filled the auditorium with rich harmony and exuberance that the audience couldn't help but absorb.

It was clear that the Acoustics love what they do. No matter the festivity, that much enthusiasm is all that is needed to constitute an entertaining Saturday night.

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