The wind was very harsh. Even with the one working circular fire pit seated at the front of the crowd, it was freezing.
This month’s Barefoots concert took place on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Instead of its original scheduled location, the Barefoots patio, the concert was held at the Bowld Commons patio. The atmosphere felt private yet comfortable.
“I appreciate the venue change,” said Gideon Ebeling, freshman English creative writing major. “Barefoots was more exposed, but I feel like the Bowld patio was more intimate.”
I was seated there pretty early to make sure I got good seats because I have a history of coming at precisely the start time and finding nowhere to sit at all. Everything seemed homemade and inviting, from the instrument setup to the colorful boho-themed carpet in the middle of the patio stage.
Every performance was unique in its own way, and a diverse range of music types were represented.
Ben Trainor had very detailed instrumentals and impressive titles. He put us in a trance with his songs.
The group Just Sisters sang songs in English and Ukrainian and could make anyone smile just by performing with perfect harmony. Some would even say that they reminded you of the girl version of the Beatles.
Alexander Lavan sang a song called “Little Man” that he wrote for his mother about growing up. He ended with the iconic song “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” where the crowd actually fell in love with him as they sang along to the song.
Austin Luttrell, a bundle of joy on the stage, rocked the whole patio with his happiness and high notes. His words fit perfectly within his music.
Darius Mullin rapped for us. His music was flowy, inspirational and completely unexpected.
“I was blown away at his ability to make rhymes and pull together thoughts,” said sophomore education major Jane Ricketts.
All of these performers gave me a sense of comfort and happiness. I smiled throughout the whole concert, but one performer stood out to me.
Emma Worthy, a freshman commercial music major, sang original songs, some of which she hadn’t written until two weeks ago.
Worthy’s songs weren’t super cheery, but they still brought a smile to my face and everyone around me.
“I never really sing covers because it just doesn’t feel super personal,” Worthy said. “Every time I performed, I’ve done originals because it’s just comfortable. They relate to me because it’s about stories in my life, and I feel that people relate to it more.”
Worthy proceeded to talk about how her songs are vulnerable, which was a significant reason her nerves were all over the place. She is an international student, so some of her songs involved her goodbyes to her friends. Music is her way of telling people how she feels without holding back.
Some lyrics from her song “Shattered,” stood out to me.
“I wish I could carry my heart but it’s too heavy, I’m sorry.”
I think that is very raw and vulnerable, which was Emma’s music’s goal for her audience.
“She made herself human and approachable through her vulnerability,” Ricketts said.
