Review: Student bands' concert a success

There may not have been an ambulance interruption or free food, but there was music that rocked EMU's coffeehouse last Friday night courtesy of Shapiro, Highways and Oceanshores, and Donovan Tann.

The music started just after 9 p.m. with Donovan Tann opening with his solo act. Tann performed some original songs as well as a few covers, one of which was "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice.

Tann's music was pretty good, but the crowd really got into the music later on.

By the time Highways and Oceanshores, which includes EMU students Mark Risser, Andrew Intagliata and Ben Schlabach, took the stage, the coffee shop was already filled to near capacity. The band sang a few old favorites like "Ctrl-Alt-Del My Life" and at least one new one titled "Coming Out of the Closet (Not That Way)." Highways and Oceanshores was entertaining as always with their energetic band members rocking the house.

The concert finished with an awe-inspiring performance from Shapiro. The crowd pushed closer and the music volume seemed raised, making the entire coffee shop felt alive. With EMU's own Jeremy Teter leading the crowd in mid-song clapping while playing his piano and singing in a daze of sweat and emotion, it was hard as an audience member not to be moved.

One memorable moment came during a quiet part of a song that changed suddenly to become loud while the Shapiro band members all seemed to move in unison.

Shapiro concluded their performance, and the night, with a cover of "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls that involved mid song lyrics of Eminem's song "Lose Yourself."