Illinois State University has never been well-known for having a student-led music scene until recently.
Local bands Chuck’s Papas and The Ripple Effect performed from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday at The Coffeehouse. Chuck’s Papas labels its music as garage rock, while The Ripple Effect is solely a Grateful Dead cover band.
Sophomore music production major Harrison Gordon is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Chuck’s Papas. He spoke about how he thought the band’s performance went.
“Last night was our best performance yet,” Gordon said. “It was the best crowd we’ve ever had, and we felt more locked in than ever before.”
The Coffeehouse has always been a popular spot for students to get coffee and study. However, with the recent rise of music culture on campus, The Coffeehouse is transforming into more than just a study spot.
“The Coffeehouse is starting to host a lot of independent stuff and has so in the past,” Gordon said. “Plus, I frequent there in the day pretty often.”
Sophomore music education major Ethan Machamer is the keyboardist for The Ripple Effect. Machamer also decided that The Coffeehouse would be a good place to perform because of its popularity among students.
Illinois State student Ethan Machamer plays on the keyboard during The Ripple Effect’s show Friday night at The CoffeeHouse in Uptown Normal. The Ripple Effect is a cover band made up of Machamer, Ethan Weitekamp, Ryan Tuohy and Colton Thies.
“Everyone knows The Coffeehouse,” Machamer said. “Also, the people there are really nice.”
Machamer discussed his opinions on the performance.
“I really enjoyed performing,” Machamer said. “The crowd definitely brought a lot of energy. We played really well and thought the people were digging it.”
The crowd played such a big role in the overall production that Machamer said it was the best part of the whole night.
“My favorite part of the performance was the crowd engagement,” Machamer said. “I love being able to see my friends out there.”
The crowd’s liveliness also had a significant effect on Gordon.
“I think my favorite part personally was hearing people sing back the words to my songs,” Gordon said. “That’s just a really surreal feeling.”
KAYLEE SUGIMOTO is a News and Features Reporter for The Vidette. Contract Sugimoto at ksugim1@ilstu.edu. Follow Sugimoto on Twitter at @kayleesugimoto1
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