USD students wait to see their peers perform at Music Box

Showing support for student bands, artists, and musicians

KATHERINE ELY / ASST. OPINION EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Hundreds of students in the San Diego area abandoned their homework on a school night to flood Music Box and watch student artists: Tunewave, Headband Andy, We the Commas and keni can fly play.

Music Box typically puts on concerts for crowds of 21 and older. However, they made an exception for this particular event to express their support for musical artists and specifically, artists from our very own USD community. Events like this one, which took place on Feb. 8, are crucial for small artists to gain popularity and recognition. 

The excitement and dedication of the fans in the audience truly shined throughout the night. Students cheered as the bands took the stage, with many in the crowd singing along.

USD senior keni can fly, who closed the night, is a solo performer who garnered a reputable fan base here in San Diego. His unique alternative hip hop sound is easily recognizable among listeners, and just in the last two years his single “veering” has reached up to 600,000 listens on Spotify.

At one point during keni can fly’s set, the audience eagerly came together in a moment of unity to chant, “Make him fly!” encouraging the young artist to crowdsurf. 

USD junior Nick Brumback, who plays guitar and sings for Tunewave, discussed his reaction to the crowd’s enthusiasm.

“It’s fun seeing friends at the show,” Brumback said. “Some of them knew the words, which was really funny.”

He couldn’t believe the support they were receiving.

“There was one moment when I looked my friend right in the eyes and I was singing and she just said the words right back to me and I freaked out,” Brumback noted. 

USD senior Peyton Heisinger said, “It makes me grateful for the community we have here,” about the atmosphere of the crowd.

USD senior Jordan Rahe, who was also in the audience, described the atmosphere of the event as feeling like a “big USD party with live music.”

Performing in front of large crowds is a difficult thing for many artists to learn and master over time, and it takes a certain kind of energy to do. Tunewave also faced a few major setbacks before taking the stage. 

“We had a lot of technical difficulties on stage,” Brumback said. “We had a guitar string break, and then got a replacement guitar that didn’t work.” 

The difficulties didn’t stop there.

“As soon as we switched that guitar, the amp wasn’t working,” Brumback said. “We’ve had technical difficulties before and it kinda ruins some of the show, but now I think we’re more comfortable just rolling with the punches and working with what’s being handed to us.”

USD senior Henry Kiley, who plays bass guitar for Tunewave, discussed the unpredictable nature of performing live. 

“No matter how much we practice the set and know the songs, when it comes to shows there’s always something that happens that you can’t account for,” Kiley said. “Now it’s just realizing that and responding, dealing with it.” 

To him, that’s rock & roll, and he knows it can be messy.

Concerts like the one at Music Box are really helpful for artists like Tunewave who are just starting out and looking for experiences to better understand the music world and what it means to be a performer. They, like all artists, are looking for opportunities to not only expand their audiences, but to also grow as musicians and find their sound so that they can evolve.

Kiley further discussed what it felt like to be on stage with the band and why concerts like the one at Music Box are helpful towards building strong relationships amongst members. 

“It’s just so much fun being up on stage, and being with the guys now that we’ve gotten a lot tighter and a lot better as musicians and being comfortable playing these songs together,” Kiley said. “It’s just a good time and 30 minutes of chaos and fun.” 

Keni added that, “This music, this art, the community we’ve formed around it and the fact that we have the ability to share it with people who want to receive it is like the most surreal feeling ever. It’s pretty magical.”

Keni also mentioned that everyone performing was either a current or former USD student, aside from his drummer, Quincy Bunn, who flew out from Boston to play the gig.

“I think it really just gives an opportunity for the students to have a platform to express themselves which I haven’t really seen in a significant way over the four years I’ve been here,” Keni said. 

“I definitely plan to do more in the future, hopefully I meet more student artists too.” 

The concert at Music Box was a great opportunity for these four student bands to perform and expand their audiences. 

On top of that, it successfully introduced USD students to the hard work and dedication these artists have put into creating music. 

In turn, we have created a safe and supportive community for them to continue their work and take the next step to reach their dreams.