Concert marks end of O-Week and start of school year
On Saturday, Sept. 9, O-Week was brought to a close with a concert headlined by The Strumbellas. In addition to welcoming first-year students to Guelph, the concert also attracted upper-year students and members of the Guelph community.
The concert was held in Peter Clark Hall, where a diverse array of students came out to enjoy the show. The smaller space leant itself to a more intimate atmosphere, and though not everyone knew every song, spirits were high throughout the concert.
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The opening band, The Belle Game, played tracks from their newest album, which dropped the day before the concert. Andrea Lo’s mix of soft singing and soulful belting added a dreamlike atmosphere to the band’s set.Although The Strumbellas hail from Lindsay, Ont., they revealed that they have connections to Guelph as well. Bassist Darryl James attended the University, as did the brothers of lead singer Simon Ward. The band also remarked that the first festival they played was Riverfest Elora. They definitely knew how to work the crowd, pushing the audience to get louder by saying, “I’m pretty sure Western did better than that.”
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While many in the audience were most familiar with the hit song “Spirits,” the band managed to entertain throughout the night. They entered the crowd for an unplugged set, bringing the room to silence so that everyone could lean in and listen. The band also showed off its multitalented members, as in the song “Rhinestones,” where violinist Izzy Ritchie took over vocal duties from Ward. Overall, the concert created an opportunity for members of the Guelph community old and new to come together and celebrate the beginning of another school year, and many left with smiles on their faces.
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Photo by Karen K. Tran.