For those who didn’t want to spend their Friday night studying or snowed in, KSC’s Social Activities Council (SAC) hosted its annual Anti-Valentine’s Day concert in the Night Owl Café (NOC) on Feb. 20, headlined by indie rock band Edgehill.
The Anti-Valentine’s Day event has become a recent tradition for SAC, although it has occasionally been marketed as a “punk prom” in years past. Senior and SAC President Kerrin Shea explained that the organization names and markets the event differently depending on the musical act that is playing at the concert that year.
“We’ve done it as a tradition off and on for a few years. We’ve done it for Punk Prom or Anti-Valentine’s Day, and it’s switched up between the two based on what kind of artist we can get in, and this year we got Edgehill,” Shea said. “We didn’t want to market it as Punk Prom because they’re more of an indie band, but they definitely get into the punky side of things, which we think is super fun.”
According to the website for the band’s record label, Edgehill is a trio made up of Chris Kelly on lead vocals and guitar, Jake Zimmerman on lead guitar and vocals and Aidan Cunningham on the drums. The band released their debut album, Ode to the Greyhouse, on Friday, Feb. 13, just one week before the Anti-Valentine’s concert.
Junior and SAC Weekend Events Coordinator Libby LaBianca, who was in charge of organizing the concert, explained how Edgehill was chosen as this year’s performer. LaBianca said that senior and Vice President for SAC Katharine Orr as well as junior and SAC Publicity Coordinator Kaylee Ansell are fans of the band, which contributed to them being chosen for the event.
“We were sent them from a list of artists, and Kat and Kaylee, who are both on our e-board, were like, ‘Oh, I know that band. I love them,’ and I gave them a listen and I liked them,” LaBianca said.
“They’re phenomenal,” added Shea. “Hearing them sing and actually do their guitar work, and just how talented they actually are for a small and upcoming band is incredible.”
In addition, Shea and LaBianca both said the band members were very nice when they got to meet them earlier that day.
“We met them for the first time today and every single one of them has been so nice,” LaBianca said.
“And they’re asking genuine questions about us and the campus and the school,” said Shea. “They care to get to know about who they’re performing for, which I think is super important.”
Snow fell on the Keene State campus throughout the day leading up to the concert, but Shea encouraged students to come to the concert and get involved with on-campus events despite the weather conditions.
“It’s really important for students to be involved in general, especially in a time where it’s cold, it’s gross out; everyone’s kind of confined to their rooms right now,” Shea said. “I don’t like the snow either. I don’t like walking in it, I don’t like getting out and doing things, but I think it’s extra important to push yourself to go do these things during that time because it keeps you active and it keeps you in a healthy mindset.”
“By listening to some free music by a pretty good band, if I do say so myself, and just hanging out with a group of your friends, it’s a really great way to get the night going and start your weekend off,” she concluded.
Two students who were able to trek through the snow and make it to the event were first-years Alexandria Soto and Yakelin Gomez. Both students said they enjoyed the concert.
“I really enjoyed it. I have never really heard them, but I was like, I might as well check it out and get out of my room, and their music is actually pretty good. They’re going to be on my ,” said Gomez.
Soto said she heard about the concert and was encouraged to attend by her roommate, who also attended the event.
“She kind of dragged me out, so I didn’t really have a say, but I’m glad I came out,” Soto said.
Gomez and Soto both said they would be interested in attending more concerts held by SAC in the future.
“I feel like it would be a fun thing to come to again,” said Gomez.
Looking ahead for SAC, the next event that the organization is hosting will be a Paint & Sip Night in the NOC on Thursday, Feb. 26, which will feature guided painting and mocktails.
Justin Dearborn can be contacted at
